Amid the raging COVID-19 cases in its territory, the Delhi government has on Monday unveiled the measure of complete lockdown to curb the spread. The complete lockdown will come to effect on April 19 from 10 pm and it will stay in place for six days till 5 am on April 26. The announcement has come against the backdrop of a sharp increase in the cases with 23,500 fresh cases recorded in the last 24 hours till Monday morning at 8 am, becoming the highest single-day rise recorded by the national capital since the outbreak began.

During the lockdown tenure, all the establishments apart from the emergency and essential services will be shut down. Addressing the public on Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the lockdown is being implemented to curb the rising cases of COVID-19. While the essential services, food services, and medical services will be allowed to function, weddings can be held with a gathering of only 50 people and such events will be issued with the passes. 

The Chief Minister has also appealed to the citizens of Delhi not to exit the city during the lockdown. In the order of the lockdown, the government has said that movement of essential goods and those employed in essential services will be allowed. The government officials, judicial officers, and medical personnel will be allowed to move around but will have to show their ID cards during their movements. 

In his address, Kejriwal said, "In last three to four days, around 25,000 cases have been reported. Positivity rate as well as the infection have also increased. If 25,000 patients come every day, then the system will crumble. There's a shortage of beds as well and ICU beds are getting numbered. There are less than 100 beds available. There is a shortage of oxygen as well".

According to the state government, "All the private offices' establishments, shops, shopping centers, weekly markets, malls, educational and coaching institutes, manufacturing units, cinema and theaters, restaurant and bars, auditoriums and assembly halls, entertainment/amusement/water parks, public parks and gardens, sports complexes, gyms, barbershops, spas, salons, beauty parlors, swimming pools (except for training), and construction activities will be banned from functioning during the lockdown. 

Along with these establishments, all social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious, festival, and other gatherings and congregations will be banned. What are the services that can function and how? The following are the services that would escape from the lockdown but the people related to these services have to produce valid ID cards to move in the city during the six-day lockdown. 

People who are going for the COVID-19 testing and vaccination are allowed to move with valid documents and people who are coming from or moving towards airports and railway stations will be allowed to travel by showing a valid ticket. People who are attached to electronic and print media got an exemption from the lockdown and they have to produce their identity card. Pregnant women and patients for getting medical or health services along with attendants can move by showing doctor's prescription or medical documents. 

Officials working in the offices of Diplomats and Embassies of various countries as well as people holding any constitutional post can travel with valid proof and people and students will be allowed to appear in the examination on the production of valid admit card. There shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement in transporting the essential goods. Banks, ATMs, Insurance Offices, Telecommunications, Internet services, Broadcasting and Cable Services, IT, and IT-enabled services will be allowed. 

Petrol stations will be open so are the private security services and manufacturing units of the essential commodities will also be allowed. Food deliveries and takeaways from the hotels and eateries will also be functioning during the lockdown. Shops dealing with food, groceries, fruits, vegetables, dairies, and milk booths, meat and fish, animal fodder, opticians, pharmaceuticals, medicines, and medical equipment, newspapers distribution can function during the lockdown.