New Delhi, Jun 19 (IANS): The Old Rajinder Nagar area in central Delhi was on Friday declared as a containment zone after 39 new COovid-19 cases emerged in the area.

Old Rajinder Nagar area has the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Karol Bagh Market. Central Delhi's District Magistrate Nidhi Srivastava said the area needs to be contained as it is congested, which increases the possibility of interaction between residents and can further spread the disease.

The District Collector of Karol Bagh Zone has been directed to immediately sanitise the entire area. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central, has also been asked to immediately cordon off the entire area.

Besides, the DCP has been directed to initiate action against violators under various provisions of IPC, Disaster Management Act read with Epidemic Disease Act. The DCP was also asked to ensure social distancing while distribution of food and ration in the area.

Srivastava also said that the Chief District Medical Officer will ensure collection of sample and conduct of tests thereof and ensure home quarantine of the contacts of the Covid-19 patients in the area.

Sub Divisional Magistrate of Karol Bagh and SHO Rajinder Nagar are further directed not to allow the residents of aforesaid area to move out of their houses and to ensure supply of essential commodities in cordoned-off areas in coordination with Market Associations or by any other appropriate mechanism for uninterrupted supply of essential commodities.