COVID-19: No gatherings, protests of over 50 in Delhi till Mar 31

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced that any gathering - religious, family, social, political or cultural - of over 50 people will not be allowed in the national capital till March 31 in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

Operations of all weekly markets in the city have been suspended and shopping malls directed to make available sanitisers at entrances as well as stores.

The chief minister indicated that the ban on gatherings will also cover protests at Shaheen Bagh and outside Jamia Millia Islamia. These places have been witnessing sit-in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens and National Population Register for over 90 days.

"Gyms, night clubs and spas will be closed till March 31.

"No religious, social, cultural and political gatherings comprising more than 50 people will be allowed in Delhi till March 31. The restriction is applicable to protests too," Kejriwal said at a press conference.

When asked if the ban will have the Shaheen Bagh protests under its ambit, the AAP leader asserted, "It (the ban) will be applicable for everyone, be it protest or any other gathering."
On the possibility of a sudden spike in coronavirus cases like in Italy, Kejriwal said, "We can only learn from other countries. Italy has seen exponential growth (of such cases). But in India, community transmission has not started."