Delhi Govt Orders Five-Star Hotel Be Turned Into Covid Centre For High Court Judges, Faces Further Flak 

The Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government on Monday issued an order directing a five-star hotel in the city to convert 100 rooms into Covid wards for Delhi high court judges and their families.

The hotel - The Ashok - is located in Chanakyapuri. The Covid care centre will be managed by Primus Hospital, which will reimburse the hotel for the expenses later.

Read the order below:

“The charges shall be collected by hospital and the hospital shall make the payment to the hotel. Primus Hospital may accommodate their doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff at their own expenses after deciding the rates mutually," the order, issued by Chanakyapuri sub-divisional magistrate Geeta Grover, says.

Last week, Hindustan Times reported that Delhi has emerged as the “worst-hit” covid city.

“On Monday, Delhi reported its highest single-day Covid fatalities with 380 deaths, with about 20,000 new cases reported. Delhi has overtaken Mumbai to become the most affected city in the country by the coronavirus pandemic in terms of daily Covid-19 tally,” the report, published on 16 April, said.

The Delhi government has been facing flak for alleged mismanagement in tackling Coronavirus pandemic. Yesterday, the Jaipur Golden hospital criticised Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s statement that hospitals are making unnecessary SOS calls. “Should hospitals wait without oxygen?  How long after a patient dies should hospitals issue SOS," the hospital reacted.

The order regarding The Ashok has bene widely criticised on social media. While some called it ”privilege”, some questioned why it should not be called “bribing”. Social media users asked why the government was not treating all citizens equally.