Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday said night curfew was imposed in the national capital following reports that parties and social gatherings were being organised in various parts of the city at a time when COVID-19 cases have surged.
Interacting with reporters, he also feared that if the positivity rate escalated and safety norms were not followed by people, the new cases could breach the last single-day spike record registered in November last year.
However, he added that it will be too early to speculate on that as of now, and government efforts are to contain the incidences as effectively as possible.
Mr. Jain's remarks on the pandemic situation came a day after the Delhi government imposed a night curfew in the national capital from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. till April 30 in view of rising COVID-19 cases. The city had recorded 5,100 fresh cases on Tuesday, while 17 more people succumbed to the infection taking the death toll to 11,113, according to the Delhi health department.
A record, over 1 lakh tests were conducted on Monday, and the positivity rate on Tuesday stood at 4.93%.
"We took the decision to impose a night curfew in the city, as reports were coming about parties and gatherings being held in various parts of the city. Given the situation right now, one person can spread to everyone else in a gathering and to more people, so we took the step," Mr. Jain said.
However, it is "not a harsh step" and there are various categories of exemption, he said, adding that restaurants in the city usually operate till 11 p.m., so in view of public safety, they have to close only one hour early.
Asked about the efficacy of night curfew in curbing cases, he said, "Let's wait and watch".
On e-passes procurement issues faced by people, the minister said, it is a "teething problem" and should be sorted soon.
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital, Mr. Jain on Tuesday had said the city government was alert on the pandemic situation and keeping a "close watch" on it.
He reiterated his demand that vaccination should be made open to all adults, except those who are not medically compliant with the norms for inoculation against COVID-19.
Asked about an IPL match due to be held in Delhi on April 29, he said, "The matter has been taken into cognisance".
On the issue of rising cases in the city, he said, "About 2,000 beds have been escalated in the last few days at various hospitals, and another 2,000-2,500 beds will be added in the next couple of days".
Over 84,000 people were vaccinated in Delhi on Tuesday till 10 p.m., out of which 21,388 got the shots at private hospitals and 62,825 received the jabs at government hospitals, Mr. Jain said.
"The trend of cases needs to be monitored, and we are keeping a close watch on it. Currently, the positivity rate has crossed the 5%-mark for the entire country. However, in Delhi, we are completely alert and are being cautious," Mr. Jain had said on Monday.
