Firecrackers have been banned in Delhi, West Bengal and Rajasthan (representation)
New Delhi:
Firecrackers will be banned in Delhi due to the increase in coronavirus cases in the capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced today on Twitter.
Mr Kejriwal said that after reviewing the pandemic situation in Delhi, it was found that there had been a spike in COVID-19 cases after festivals, such as the recent Durga Puja and Dussehra, and due of air pollution.
Air pollution, which can worsen the health of COVID-19 patients, is on the rise in Delhi due to festivals and stubble burning in neighboring states.
West Bengal, too, earlier today banned the fire of firecrackers in Diwali and Kali Puja state. Delhi and Bengal join Sikkim, Rajasthan and Odisha which have also banned firecrackers to tackle the rise in coronavirus cases.
In view of this, the chief minister tweeted, the Delhi government has taken several steps to counter the rise in cases.
After banning firecrackers, medical infrastructure will be strengthened, oxygen and intensive care beds will also be increased in Delhi government hospitals, he added. Mr Kejriwal also added that there will be targeted testing and steps will be taken to ensure the death rate does not increase.
Examination of the corona situation in the preparation for Del n with the head of the Secy, the health officials and all the DMs. Corona cases have increased due to pollution during the festival season. It was decided to
1. Ban crackers at Del
2. Increase the medical infra, Oxy n ICU beds are increased in Del govt hospis
– Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 5, 2020
3. Del HC has maintained our order to increase intensive care beds in pvt hospitals. Appeal filed yesterday at SC. We hope that SC will lift the stay taking into account the critical situation
4. Targeted tests
5. All measures should be taken to ensure that the death rate does not increase.
– Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 5, 2020
Delhi’s air pollution has dropped to severe levels and today suffered its most toxic day in a year. Coronavirus cases are also raging in the capital with more than 400,000 infections. The poisonous air has heightened alarm over the health hazard posed by the sweltering smog, with doctors warning of a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses.
Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Monday he had issued instructions to ban the sale of firecrackers and limit their use to protect COVID-19 patients and the public from their ill effects.
Bengal had also called on its inhabitants not to burn firecrackers. The Calcutta High Court subsequently banned the use of firecrackers at upcoming festivals.
