COVID-19: Delhi mandates two-week home quarantine for Kumbh Mela returnees

The Delhiites who visited Kumbh Mela or will be travelling up till April 30, are also required to upload their contact details on the link at the Delhi govt portal.

Kumbh Mela 2021 in Haridwar (Photo: Reuters)

New Delhi: In a move to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has mandated a two-week home quarantine for Delhiites returning from Kumbh Mela in Haridwar.

In an order dated April 17, 2021, the DDMA said, "All residents of Delhi, returning from Haridwar after attending Kumbh Mela, will have to mandatorily stay in home quarantine for 14 days on arrival to the national capital."

It added that all the Delhi residents, who visited Kumbh Mela between April 4 and April 17, or will be travelling up till April 30, are required to upload details (viz name, address in Delhi, contact no., ID proof, date of departure from Delhi and arrival here) on the link at the Delhi govt portal.

As per reports, more than 1,700 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela between April 10 and April 14. 

PM Narendra Modi's appeal to keep Kumbh Mela 'symbolic'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also appealed to devotees to keep the key Hindu festival 'symbolic'. PM Modi said that he spoke to Swami Avdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhara on phone and appealed that ongoing Kumbh should now be symbolic amid the COVID-19 crisis. The Prime Minister tweeted that he also enquired about the health of saints, many of whom have contracted the infection, and also conveyed his appreciation for their cooperation with the local administration. 

मैंने प्रार्थना की है कि दो शाही स्नान हो चुके हैं और अब कुंभ को कोरोना के संकट के चलते प्रतीकात्मक ही रखा जाए। इससे इस संकट से लड़ाई को एक ताकत मिलेगी। @AvdheshanandG — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 17, 2021

Responding to PM Modi's appeal, Swami Avdheshanand also urged devotees to not gather in large numbers. 

Delhi witnesses biggest single-day jump in COVID-19 cases 

The national capital recorded its biggest single-day jump in COVID-19 cases on Saturday. Delhi registered 24,375 fresh infections, besides 167 coronavirus-related deaths. The number of active coronavirus cases in Delhi has now increased to 69,799. 

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal calls COVID-19 situation 'worrisome

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that the pandemic situation has become 'very worrisome', with depleting stock of oxygen and Remdesivir drug for patients. "The cases of COVID-19 are rising fast in Delhi. In the last 24 hours, around 24,000 fresh cases have been reported. Within a day, the number has gone up from around 19,500 to around 24,000. So, the situation is very serious and worrisome," Kejriwal said.

दिल्ली में तेज़ी से फैलते कोरोना संक्रमण के बीच सरकार के स्वास्थ्य प्रबंधन पर एक महत्वपूर्ण प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस | LIVE https://t.co/Z7vGPWZls8 — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 17, 2021

The AAP supremo informed that he has requested Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan for augmenting supplies of oxygen, and Remdesivir and tocilizumab drugs for COVID-19 patients.

Weekend curfew in Delhi

In view of the recent spurt in coronavirus infections, the Delhi government has already imposed a weekend curfew that came into force on Friday night and will remain in place till 5 AM on Monday. As per the new guidelines applicable till April 30, all shopping malls, gymnasiums, spas, auditoriums, assembly halls, entertainment parks, and similar places have been closed.

करोना के चलते आज और कल दिल्ली में कर्फ़्यू है। कृपया इसका पालन करें। हम सबको मिलके करोना को हराना है। — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 17, 2021

On the other hand, cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes have been permitted to open with 30 per cent of their sealing capacity. Also, only one weekly market per day per zone in all three Municipal Corporations/New Delhi Municipal Council/Delhi Containment Board have been allowed.