Delhi Borders Sealed For One Week With Exemptions On Travel For Essential Services

As the country entered the phase 1 of exiting the lockdown, the Delhi government on Monday (1 June) announced state borders would remain sealed for one week, while only travel for essential services will be allowed across borders.

“Delhi borders to be sealed for the next one week. Essential services are exempted. We will take a decision again in one week to open borders after suggestions from citizens,” said Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal.

People from neighbouring states with passes will be allowed to enter Delhi by road, he added.

The order came in the wake of Haryana government’s move to open Gurugram-Delhi border as per Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)‘s fresh guidelines for Unlock 1.0. Uttar Pradesh, however, had already to decided to keep its borders with the national capital closed after 42 per cent of new COVID-19 cases in Noida in last 20 days were traced to Delhi.

The MHA guidelines for phased exiting from the lockdown said there shall be no bar on inter-state and intra-state travel of persons and goods.

Although, the MHA order added that state or union territory (UT) governments, based on their assessment of situation, could regulate the movement with proper publicity in advance.

The Delhi CM also sought suggestions from people regarding the decision and if it could be extended.

Kejriwal government also announced that barber shops and saloons in the capital city could now be opened, wile spas will remain shut until the next decision.