India’s capital Delhi announced a week-long lockdown from Monday after recording a spike in cases that overwhelmed the city’s healthcare system.
Government offices and emergency services, such as hospitals, pharmacies, and groceries will be open during the lockdown.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a news conference, said the national capital was facing shortages of oxygen and medicine.
”I do not say that the system has collapsed, but it has reached its limits,” Kejriwal said, adding that harsh measures were necessary to prevent the current situation.
According to India’s health ministry on Monday, Delhi reported 25,462 cases and 161 deaths in the past 24 hours.
The city had imposed a weekend curfew but reported its highest single-day spike so far on Sunday – 24, 462 cases.