New Delhi, Jan 8 : The streets of Delhi Today  almost wore a deserted look, owing to the weekend curfew imposed in the national capital in the wake of a spike in cases of Covid-19.

Earlier this week, the Delhi government announced ‘weekend curfew’ with effect from Friday 10 pm till Monday 5 am, to contain the spread of the virus.

During the weekend curfew, people will not be allowed to step out without any valid reason. The DDMA guideline has already mentioned the detailed rules regarding weekend curfew. As per the guidelines, people will be allowed to step out of the house for essential work only. The national capital is already under night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am.

R Sathiyasundaram, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara Delhi, said “The police personnel have been deployed on various points to check people and vehicles as they step out from house for essential work. We are trying to ensure that people follow DDMA guidelines and without any reason, they don’t come out on the road.

“Police issue challans to people who are found flouting DDMA guidelines. Most of the people are following weekend curfew norms as they are aware about it,” he added.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), in its order, had said that all government offices except those involved in essential and emergency services shall remain closed.

However, all officers/ officials shall work from home. Fifty per cent of the workforce of private offices will work from home, it added.

The DDMA further said that Delhi Metro and transportation by buses will be allowed with 100 per cent capacity. However, standing passengers will not be allowed.

Persons coming/going to airport/railway station/ISBT would be allowed to travel on production of a valid ticket, it said.

According to the bulletin issued by the Delhi government on Friday, the national capital recorded 17,335 new Covid cases and nine succumbed to the virus.

As per the Union Health Ministry on Saturday, a total of 513 cases of new variant of Covid-19 have been reported so far in Delhi. Out of these, 57 discharged/ recovered/migrated.(UNI)