COVID 19 Lockdown: Delhi government moves to e-passes to complement availability of essential services

Right after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in India to prevent the pandemic COVID-19 virus that has infected nearly 600 and claimed 10 lives, Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi assured the people that essential services like grocery stores would remain operational 24*7.

This move by the CM comes in the wake of widespread uncertainty and panic over the availability of essential goods such as milk, bread, fruits and vegetables.

Shops selling groceries, vegetables, medicines had been allowed to stay open, but confusion over such details led to several shops closing down over fear of police action. To facilitate the process and encourage the availability of such services to every person in the city, the UT government will now also issue electronic passes to those engaged in the delivery of essential services but belong to an unorganized sector like grocery shop owners, vegetable vendors, so that their work remains uninterrupted and there is no panic buying.

A number 1031 has been made available for e-passes by the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Those involved in essential services like milk sellers, vegetable vendors can call at the number for the passes and commute during the lockdown, as they have been finding it hard to travel due to lockdown. The e-passes are likely to make the travel easy and ensure no shortage of essential services.

However, those engaged in essential services through organized sector may not need the passes and are allowed to function 24X7 to prevent overcrowding, said Mr Kejriwal. He also appealed to people to support the lockdown in the fight against Novel Coronavirus and not to venture outside their homes.