DELHI & COVID-19

By Debanis Roy Chowdhury 9 Minutes Read

The outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic in India is still said to be in the second stage, which means that community transmission has not started yet, at least in India. That is why this time is of the essence. In a Federal Structured governance like India, the onus lies on the States as well as the Centre to take firm decisions to mitigate this crisis. To that effect, more or less every state government in India has taken several measures to combat the pandemic and the Centre is also acting swiftly.

Delhi, being the capital, witnesses a continuous flow of people, therefore, it was important for the state government to bring strict preventive actions when the first case was reported. On March 4, a task force was constituted to combat the Coronavirus outbreak in the State. On 24^th March the CM Kejriwal had announced a complete lockdown.

For the Kejriwal government, the most important issue was to save the children as they have a higher chance of getting affected in such an outbreak[1]. One of the very first decisions was to close all the primary classes in the state. Following the suspension of the primary classes, the Delhi government also decided to close all the 10,740 Anganwadi centres in the state. Anganwadis deal with children, therefore, it was important for the government to close down these centres[2]. The government also decided to suspend the morning assembly session in all the schools. To make the public aware of the perils of Covid-19, the Government started educating people through advertisements in offline and online media, and television, this was of great help as people became more aware about the dangers looming large over them. The government also ordered the immediate closure of all movie theatres in Delhi and started disinfection drives for all the vehicles plying in the State.

The MCD commissioners and SDMs were directed to set up mobile washbasins in large numbers for the convenience of public and to induce hygienic sanitising methods in public. The Delhi government also decided to extend the disinfection drive to all the public service vehicles. The disinfection drive of public buses and the metros (undertaken by the DMRC) were already set in motion by then, this was then extended to auto-rickshaws, commercial cabs plying in the city and eco-friendly vehicles for free. Lastly, it was decided to extend the disinfection drive at all DTC and bus depots[3].

Following the nation-wide 21 days lockdown announced by the PM on March 25^th, the Delhi government has taken several steps to ensure that the needy are taken care of during the lockdown. The State government has taken laudable steps like, feeding 10 lakh people two times every day, promising to pay rent for citizens who would not be able to pay it even after a few months post lockdown.  Further it has also announced that they will pay Rupees 5000 to auto and cab drivers, who are one of the most vulnerable sections of the society, already facing the wrath of the lockdown as their daily incomes have plummeted, second to none, because of the lockdown. Further if media reports are to believed, the Delhi Government has also announced that it will be temporarily tracing the phones of those people who have already been quarantined after the event, in order to ensure they are isolated and don’t flout rules. The CM has announced on 11^th April that in Delhi, 2,943 people have been quarantined and 21,307 more have been asked to self-quarantine at home. The state government has already announced that it would be giving Rs 1 crore to the families of healthcare workers if they die while treating COVID-19 patients, be it private or public health worker.

The Government has already announced a 5T plan to tackle the spread of the Novel Coronavirus[4]. The 5T plan includes testing, tracing, treatment, teamwork and tracking.

1. Testing

Aggressive testing is the key to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, says Arvind Kejriwal. The government will conduct one lakh rapid tests in hotspot areas like Dilshad Garden and Nizamuddin. The Government has already ordered for the procurement of the same.

2. Tracing

After testing, next comes tracing. People are identified who have come in contact with a positive patient and are asked to self-quarantine. The help of Delhi Police is being taken to ensure that self-quarantine is being followed.

3. Treatment

2,950 beds are reserved for coronavirus patients, across various hospitals in the city. LNJP, GB Pant and Rajiv Gandhi hospitals will treat only coronavirus patients. Beds in private hospitals have been identified where only coronavirus patients will be treated. 12,000 hotel rooms will be taken over. Serious patients and elderly will be kept in hospitals and those with milder symptoms will be kept in hotels and dharamshalas.

4. Teamwork

New coronavirus can only be defeated through teamwork. It was announced in the presser that the State will endeavour to learn from other states. Doctors and nurses are key members of the teams. Their protection is paramount.

5. Tracking & Monitoring

The Delhi government will actively track the developments and action taken to stop the spread of the Covid-19.

As of 12^th April, 2020 Delhi, is in the favour of extending the national lockdown till at least April 30^th 2020, and CM Kejriwal has conveyed the same to the PM.

The Coronavirus pandemic has brought the whole world to its feet. During these desperate times of a health emergency its time for all to cooperate with the government and each other to stave off this pandemic and return to normalcy. Every cloud has a silver lining and this too shall pass. 

For a detailed list of all the orders passed by the Health Department, Government of Delhi, click here.

[1] Source: Daily O; Last Accessed on 12^th April,2020; https://www.dailyo.in/variety/coronavirus-delhi-government-delhi-under-lockdown-covid-19/story/1/32609.html

[2] Ibid

[3] Ibid

[4] Source: The Economic Times, 8^th April,2020; Last accessed on 12^th April, 2020; https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-announces-5t-plan-to-tackle-covid-crisis/articleshow/75024417.cms?from=mdr

Debanis Roy Chowdhury