Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced extension of the ongoing lockdown in the national capital by another week, saying the process of unlock will start from May 31 in a phased manner if the number of COVID-19 cases continued to decline.
In the past 24 hours, Delhi recorded around 1600 positive cases and the positivity rate went further down to below 2.5 percent, he said.
"I consulted many people and the general opinion favoured lockdown extension for one week. So, Delhi government has decided that lockdown will be extended to 5 AM on May 31," he said.
"If cases continue to decline in the coming week, we shall start the process of unlock from May 31. We will not open up all things at one go but will open up activities in a phased manner," he added.
CM Arvind Kejriwal said the lockdown was required so that the gains made after much struggle are not lost.
He said he was in talks with vaccine manufacturers to ensure that the vaccine was available in Delhi, and asserted his government was ready to spend any amount for it.
"There is a possibility that the third wave won't hit if everyone is vaccinated. We are planning to vaccinate everyone as soon as possible. I'm in talks with domestic and foreign companies regarding vaccines. We're ready to spend from our budget," CM Arvind Kejriwal said.
The national capital has been under a lockdown since April 19 in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the second wave of the pandemic.
