The Delhi Police Commissioner, SN Shrivastava, on Monday appealed to the residents of national Capital to stay at home and follow the Covid-19 guidelines following the one-week lockdown announced by the city Government.

"I appeal to the citizens of the national Capital to stay inside their homes. Lockdown has been announced from 10 pm on Monday till 5 am on April 26. The essential commodities will be available," Shrivastava said.

Majority of people were inside the house during the curfew. However, some of them come out of their houses and were prosecuted, he said. "We also sympathies with migrant labourres who in anticipation of losing jobs. I want to appeal them that they should remain in Delhi and we will take care of them," the Commissioner said.

 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a six-day lockdown from 10 pm on Monday till 5 am on April 26 which he said was necessary to deal with the rising number of COVID-19 cases as the city’s health system was stretched to its limits. Delhi Police Public Relation Officer (PRO),  Chinmoy Biswal said police have pulled up their socks to make people strictly follow the lockdown.

"The Delhi Police personnel and senior officers from the districts will be on ground 24x7 to enforce the lockdown. We have successfully implemented the weekend curfew. Over 7,000 challans were issued for violating COVID guidelines. More than 1,400 FIRs were registered and over 1,000 people arrested in connection with disobeying the curfew.

"Police also appeal to the citizens that they should cooperate with police personnel during checking. The essential commodities and genuine emergency will be facilitated. However, people stepping out of their homes without valid reasons will be prosecuted under the law," Biswal said.