As India battles the second wave of coronavirus, which is thought to be more severe than the first, the Centre and several states, including Delhi, have imposed new restrictions to stem the spread.
As shops and offices reopened, the government blamed the resurgence primarily on crowding and a reluctance to wear masks.
In the last 24 hours, Delhi has reported 7,897 new cases of coronavirus, with 39 deaths. As a result, the national capital’s positivity rate increased to more than 10%, the highest since November 23. There are now over 7.1 lakh cases in the national capital.
In the year’s largest one-day spike, Delhi reported over 8,500 coronavirus cases. The increase in cases yesterday was only second to the highest-ever reported on November 11 last year, when 8,593 cases were reported.
New infections have pushed the overall tally to record highs, prompting the city of Delhi to impose night curfews until April 30.
All schools and colleges in Delhi will remain closed, said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday.
The chief minister, however, has ruled out the possibility of a lockdown, stating that new restrictions will be implemented in the national capital soon and that the national capital will remain open.