Lt Governor Anil Baijal overrules Kejriwal govt's orders on COVID-19

In his order, Baijal stated that any deviation from the testing rules of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) "can result in further spread of COVID-19 in the capital."

This was a direct dismissal of the Delhi government's order on testing only those showing COVID-19 symptoms.

The Lieutenant Governor, who is a representative of the Centre, also revoked Kejriwal's decision to reserve Delhi government-run hospitals for the residents only.

Baijal in his order said everyone should be treated in Delhi without discrimination.

He asserted that treatment "should not be denied to any patient on grounds of being a non-resident".

Baijal also referred to the Supreme Court ruling during various judgments that "Right to Health" is an integral part of "Right to Life" in the constitution.

Amid a huge controversy over availability of beds, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said government and some private hospitals will be reserved only for residents of the national capital.

Delhi has been recently witnessing a surge in the number of coronavirus cases leading to registration of more than a thousand patients each day.

"For now, we have decided that the 10,000 beds under the Delhi government will be kept for residents. The beds under the Central government can be used by all. Private hospitals covering special treatment will be opened to all," the Chief Minister had said during a virtual press conference.

According to reports, several patients in Delhi were turned away by the hospitals stating they were over-run with patients.

Lauding the LG's order, cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir tweeted: "Excellent step by LG to overrule Delhi Govt's idiotic order of not treating patients from other states! India is ONE and we have to fight this pandemic together! #IndiaFightsCorona."

Meanwhile, Kejriwal will on Tuesday undergo a coronavirus test as he is suffering from cough and fever since Sunday afternoon.

Manish Sisodia said the CM has quarantined himself and cancelled all his meetings after he felt unwell on Sunday afternoon.

"As per doctor's advice, the CM will undergo a Covid test tomorrow. We are praying that he gets well soon and actively works for Delhi people as he was doing," said Sisodia.

Kejriwal was one of the CMs who were holding regular meetings with government officials since the outbreak of the pandemic virus in the country.