Migrants rush back home as their fear extends amid Delhi’s mini lockdown

Many migrant workers in the National Capital have started heading for trains and buses to head back home as they again fear losing their jobs like 2020 nationwide lockdown. The mini lockdown announced by the Delhi Government on 19 April 2021 has recalled the troubled journey they experienced last year by walking miles to their hometown.

All the covid-19 social distancing protocols were down the drain as all the bus terminuses and railway stations in Delhi witness the same scene as last year with bustling migrants rushing with their families and luggage to head back home. 

The measures of mini lockdown of a week were taken by the Delhi Government in order to contain the further spread of the second wave of the coronavirus as all the hospitals are overwhelmed with patients.

The mini lockdown decision was taken during a meeting between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lt Governor Anil Baijal. 

“It has been decided to impose a lockdown in the National Capital, from 10 pm (19 April) till 6 am (26th April),” Arvind Kejriwal announced. “Medical, food, and essential services will continue as usual. Weddings can be held with a minimum of 50 people and passes will be provided for it, a detailed order will be published shortly, he added.

Delhi’s health system is overwhelmed and under stress with shortage of oxygen and hospital beds. On Sunday, CM Kejriwal stated that less than 100 ICU beds are accessible in hospitals in Delhi. Tougher measures will be taken to forestall the collapse of the health system. All private offices will switch to work from home, only government offices will remain open.

On Monday, the Delhi High Court said that the Central Government and Delhi Government have miserably failed to tackle migrant workers’ situation during the 2020 lockdown. They need to learn lessons from it and take apt measures as daily wagers are again confronting the grim reality amid the mini lockdown recently imposed in the National Capital.