Actively considering lockdown, night curfew: Delhi govt tells HC

New Delhi : Delhi government says it is 'actively considering' night curfews or lockdown as the Covid cases have spiked alarmingly.

The response came on Thursday as Delhi High Court heard a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Rakesh Malhotra.

"We're actively considering imposition of lockdown or night curfews but no decision has been taken on it yet," said advocates Sandeep Sethi and Satyakam on behalf of the city government.

Rakesh Malhotra sought to increase the Covid-19 testing in the national capital and getting speedy results.

A division bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad asked the Delhi government if it was planning night curfews or weekend curfews like other cities had done.

Following this the bench said: "It is now for the Delhi government to take a call as to whether night curfew is required to be imposed in Delhi or some parts of Delhi and/or other measures need to be adopted to contain the virus. Delhi government shall take a decision on this aspect and implement the same without losing further time."

The court also asked the Delhi government if the order directing a maximum number of 50 guests at a wedding is strictly enforced and the SOPs drawn up.

The government counsel said there is a procedure already in place involving the district administration and the local police.

The bench asked the government to inform on the next hearing about the number of complaints received and/or inspections conducted.

As for the burial or cremation of those died of Covid-19, the Delhi government said they have sufficient capacity in the city.

"The present capacity of the crematoriums in Delhi is 380 bodies per day and the said capacity can be enhanced, if necessary," it submitted through Sethi.

IANS report with edits