On 8 April 2020, the Government of NCT of Delhi declared the sealing of twenty-two coronavirus hotspots comprising small pockets of settlements and apartment complexes till further notice and made it compulsory for people to wear face masks when stepping outdoors to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Wearing of facial masks can reduce the spread of corona virus substantially. Therefore, it has been decided that facial masks will be compulsory for anyone stepping out of their house. Cloth mask shall be eligible too.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 8, 2020

Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced the decision to seal the twenty-two hotspots after the emergency meeting held at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, assuring that the government will ensure the delivery of essential items in these areas. Sealing means a more austere version of the lockdown.

What is a COVID-19 hotspot

Areas in districts where six or more people have tested positive for coronavirus are identified as 'hotspots'. The areas are recognized based on the assessment of risk factors, probability of high degree of virus spread and whether people are taking the lockdown seriously.

What is prohibited

• Movement of individuals in and out of their homes is not allowed
• Visiting grocery stores and pharmacies is also not allowed
• Media not allowed in the area
• Outlets like banks, ATMs, post offices will remain closed
• For people engaged in essential services, going out of the house without a valid movement pass is prohibited
• Walking in parks/ community areas is not allowed
• Entering the sealed zone or gathering inside it

What is allowed

• Home delivery of essential items like groceries, medicines, and dairy products by government authorized delivery personnel only
• Going to the hospital for medical emergencies 
• Ambulances with special permission
• Rigorous door-to-door monitoring
• Sanitisation of the area

The 22 hotspots in Delhi are:

1. Gandhi Park, Malviya Nagar
2. Gali No 6, L1, Sangam Vihar
3. Shahajahanabad Society, Plot No. 1, Sector 11, Dwarka
4. Dinpur village
5. Markaz Masjid, Nizamuddin Basti
6. Nizamuddin West (G and D block)
7. B Block, Jahangirpuri
8. 40 houses in Gali No. 14, Kalyanpuri
9. Mansara Apartments, Vasundhara Enclave
10. 3 Galis in Khichirpur
11. Gali No. 9, Pandav Nagar
12. Vardhaman Appartments, Mayur Vihar, Phase I Extension
13. Mayurdhwaj Appartments, IP Extension, Patparganj
14. Gali No. 4 (one stretch with 7 houses), Kishan Kunj Extension
15. Gali No. 4 (another stretch with 7 houses), Krishan Kunj Extension
16. Gali No. 5, A Block (12 houses), West Vinod Nagar
17. J, K, L and H pockets, Dilshad Garden
18. G, H, J blocks, Old Seemapuri
19. F-70 to 90 blocks, Dilshad Colony
20. Pratap Khand, Jhilmil Colony
21. South Moti Bagh slum
22. Bengali Market

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