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Concerns over mounting COVID-19 instances and the Omicron threat prompted the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to issue directives to enforce the "No Mask, No Entry" rule at stores and workplaces. In light of the increased number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital, the DDMA has also released instructions.
"All DMs and District DCPs shall ensure that no cultural event, gatherings, and congregations are taking place for celebrating Christmas or New Year in National Capital Territory of Delhi," the DDMA stated on Wednesday. It also recommended citizens to behave in a COVID-19-compliant manner.
The DDMA also urged district magistrates to ensure that no Christmas or New Year gatherings take place in the national capital, citing an increase in coronavirus cases and the threat of its Omicron version.
According to the statement, restaurants and bars will be allowed to operate with up to 50% of their seating capacity, and wedding-related activities would be allowed with a maximum of 200 persons in attendance.
The DDMA order said, "All social/political/cultural/religious/festival related gatherings are prohibited throughout NCT of Delhi... All district magistrates and DCPs shall ensure that no cultural event/gatherings/congregation takes place for celebrating Christmas or New Year in the NCT of Delhi."
The national capital recorded 125 cases on Wednesday, the largest number since June 22, when it reported 134 cases of the virus. District magistrates and deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) have also been told to tighten up the enforcement apparatus to ensure that people adhere to social-distancing norms and wear masks.
According to the DDMA order, "All district magistrates shall conduct an intensive survey of the entire area under their jurisdiction and identify those pockets, colonies markets and crowded places which have the potential of becoming superspreaders of coronavirus and its Omicron variant."
It specified that all DMs and DCPs must deploy a sufficient number of enforcement teams on the ground to maintain greatest vigil at public areas, enforcing strict adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour in order to avert a possible COVID-19 outbreak.
Authorities have been told to call meetings with RWAs and market associations to alert them of the "consistent increase" in Covid cases, as well as the introduction of the Omicron variety.
They should also be asked to take all necessary efforts to ensure strict adherence to Covid proper behaviour, such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and hand sanitising on a regular basis.
The DDMA met earlier on Monday, and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that all Covid-positive patients' samples would be sent for genetic sequencing. On Tuesday, all positive instances' genomes were sequenced.
The Chief Minister further urged the public to remain vigilant and wear masks in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The genomic sequencing of all Covid-infected patients in Delhi has begun, according to Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, to see if the Omicron variation has spread in the community.
"The Delhi government-run labs at the Lok Nayak Hospital and the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences can sequence 100 samples each day. Two Centre-run labs in Delhi can sequence 200-300 samples a day. So, 400-500 samples can be analysed in a day," Jain said.
PM Modi to hold meeting to review the situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conduct a meeting on the COVID-19 situation throughout the country on Thursday, amid new worries raised by the Omicron variation. According to official sources, Modi would assess the pandemic situation across the country.
On December 5, a 37-year-old fully-vaccinated male who arrived in the city from Tanzania was found sick with the latest form of coronavirus, which was the first instance of Omicron in the national capital.
Despite the fact that at least 90 of the affected patients have recovered or relocated, India has recorded over 250 cases of Omicron throughout 15 states and union territories.
The Omicron variant has been reported in the highest number of cases in Delhi, followed by 54 in Maharashtra, 24 in Telangana, 19 in Karnataka, 18 in Rajasthan, 15 in Kerala, and 14 in Gujarat.
With the Omicron variant of coronavirus spreading its tentacles across the country, a number of states have increased surveillance to track, quarantine, and trace contacts of COVID-19 positive people, while Delhi has begun genome sequencing of all infected people and banned Christmas and New Year gatherings.
Meanwhile, AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria has emphasised the importance of adopting Covid-appropriate behaviour, noting that many have become lazy in following these guidelines. He also stressed that individuals should get vaccinated, and that those who have already had the first dosage should not skip the second.
"Omicron is highly transmissible which means this variant spreads rapidly and therefore adhering to Covid norms is very important. People should regularly wear masks, maintain physical distance and avoid gatherings which can become super spreading events."