Covid-19: Actively considering some kind of curfew, Delhi government tells high court

The court said the government should consider setting up a portal where fines, collected for not adhering to the social distancing norms, are deposited with little or no cash transaction

The Delhi government on Thursday informed the Delhi high court that it is “actively considering” imposing some kind of curfew -- either a night curfew or on weekends. The state government was responding to the court which sought to know whether the national Capital is implementing any lockdown in order to check the surge in Covid-19 cases.

The Delhi high court in New Delhi. (File photo)

Senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, appearing for the Delhi government, told a bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Subramonium Prasad that even though a decision has not been taken on the imposition of the curfew, it is actively being considered.

The court, while hearing a plea by the lawyer by Rakesh Malhotra seeking ramping up of tests in the city, also said that the Delhi government should consider setting up a portal where fines, collected for not adhering to social distancing norms, are deposited with little or no cash transaction.

The court said there should be SOPs for banquet halls, adding, “We cannot allow these wedding parties to become super spreaders because this is the season of weddings and similar functions.”