New Delhi:<\/strong> Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced that the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown in Delhi has been extended by one week, that is, May 31 till 0500 hrs.<\/p>\n The restrictions, which include the suspension of Metro services, will now stay in place till May 31 morning.<\/p>\n Addressing a digital press conference here, Mr. Kejriwal said in the past 24 hours, 1600 fresh COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Delhi and the positivity rate has come down to 2.5 percent. He said the speed of the Coronavirus has declined rapidly in Delhi.<\/p>\n <\/ins><\/ins><\/ins>Mr. Kejriwal also said if the COVID-19 cases continue to decline at this pace, the Delhi government will start the unlock process in a phased manner from May 31.<\/p>\n He also appealed to the Delhiites to support the government and adhere to the lockdown this week same as before.<\/p>\n Arvind Kejriwal said, ”In the past 24 hours, I asked a lot of people as to what should be done. Whatever decision is to be taken, will be taken collectively by the people of Delhi. A general opinion is that the lockdown should be extended for another week. If we are to lift the lockdown right now then whatever we have gained after a struggle, hard work, and sacrifice of one month might be lost. So, it is a general opinion that the lockdown should be extended by one more week. Therefore the Delhi government has decided that the lockdown will be extended by one week. The lockdown will be extended till the next Monday, 31st May at 5 AM.”<\/p>\n He said, “It is my appeal and request that the way you have supported till date, the way you have continued to adhere to the lockdown, maintaining strict discipline and if you continue to maintain this in the future too and keep following the coronavirus protocols, if the cases continue to decline at the same speed in the next week, then we will start the unlock process from 31st May.”<\/p>\n ”It won’t be wise to immediately unlock so we will start unlocking certain processes from 31st May. But right now, as per everyone’s response, the opinion of the people of Delhi, we are going to increase the lockdown by one week,” Mr. Kejriwal said.<\/p>\n <\/ins><\/ins><\/ins>He said Delhi has to be completely prepared for the third wave of Corona, and it is the Delhi government’s first and foremost agenda that vaccines are administered to protect people from the third wave.<\/p>\n Mr. Kejriwal said it is the top priority of the city government to figure how to vaccinate the 2.5 crore people of Delhi within 3 months, but there is a paucity of vaccines.<\/p>\n He said the Delhi government is ready to spend whatever budget is required for the procurement of vaccines.<\/p>\n Notably, the National Capital is already under lockdown since April 19, 2200 hrs.<\/p>\n [HAMS LIVE]<\/p>\n