Delhi Govt Seals 20 Virus Hotspots, Makes Face Masks Compulsory in Public as Cases Near 700-mark

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Wednesday announced sealing of 20 coronavirus hotspots comprising small pockets of settlements and apartment complexes, and made it compulsory for people to wear face masks when stepping outdoors to contain the spread of the virus.

As the national capital reported 93 new cases taking the total number of infections to 669, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held an emergency meeting with senior ministers and top officials of the Delhi government on Wednesday evening and took a series of decisions to check the spread of the virus.

After the meeting via video-conferencing, Kejriwal in a tweet said: "Wearing of facial masks can reduce the spread of coronavirus substantially. Therefore, it has been decided that facial masks will be compulsory for anyone stepping out of their house. Cloth mask shall be eligible too."

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who attended the meeting, said strict action would be taken against those not wearing masks while stepping out of their houses. He also announced the decision to seal the 20 hotspots.

"Nobody will be allowed to enter or exit from these areas, and the government will ensure delivery of essential items there," he said.

The 20 hotspots include parts of Sangam Vihar, Malviya Nagar and Jahangir Puri that have been notified as "containment areas".

Government sources said some more areas are likely to be sealed on Thursday and that the measure will remain in force till the situation improves.

The New Delhi district administration has also identified Bengali Market as a "containment zone".

After the meeting, Kejriwal also said all government departments have been directed to stop all expenditures except salary, adding they will have to cut expenses drastically considering the current revenue status.

The total number of cases in the national capital on Wednesday mounted to 669, with 93 fresh cases reported in a day, according to the Delhi Health Department. The total cases include 426 people who took part in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Nizamuddin area in March, they said.

According to the health bulletin, 93 people from Markaz who had been kept at quarantine facilities have tested positive. Around, 2,500 people from Markaz have been kept in quarantine facilities, said a senior official.

Here's a list of the areas that have been sealed:

The 20 hotspots are:

1. Entire affected street near Gandhi Park, Malviya Nagar

2. Entire affected street of Gali No 6, L 1 Sangam Vihar

3 Shahajahanabad society, Plot no 1, Sector 11, Dwarka

4. Dinpur Village

5. Markaz Masjid and Nizamuddin Basti

6. Nizamuddin West (G and D block) areas

7.B Block Jahangirpuri

8. H. No 141 to H. No 180, Gali no. 14, Kalyanpuri

9. Mansara Appartments , Vasundhara Enclave

10. 3 Galis of Khichirpur including Gali containing H. No. 5/387 Khichirpur

11. Gali No 9, Pandav Nagar

12. Vardhaman Appartments, Mayur Vihar Phase I, Extension

13. Mayurdhwaj Appartments, IP Extension, Patparganj

14. Gali no. 4, from H. No. J-3/115 (Nagar Dairy) to H. No. J-3/108 (towards Anar wali Masjid Chowk), Kishan Kunj Extension

15. Gali No. 4, from H. No J- 3/101 to H. No. J- 3/107 Krishan Kunj Extension

16. Gali No. 5, A Block (From H No. A-176 to A-189), West Vinod Nagar

17. J&K, L and H pockets, Dilshad Garden

18. G, H, J, Blocks, Old Seemapuri

19. F-70 to 90 block, Dilshad Colony

20. Pratap Khand, Jhilmil Colony.

With PTI inputs