New Delhi: Justifying its decision to not remove the ban on the use of hookahs in Delhi’s restaurants and pubs to curb coronavirus spread, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, in an affidavit, informed the Delhi High Court that this is not the time to “lower our guards” for an “unnecessary service” which is expected to increase to the transmission and severity of COVID-19 in the national capital.

The Delhi government has, under the Pandemic Act, prohibited the sale or service of herbal hookahs in the pubs and restaurants in the national capital as a measure to control the transmission of coronavirus in the national capital. Several bars and restaurants have challenged the order. The government submitted an affidavit to the HC concerning this.

The government, in its affidavit, stated that due to the upcoming festive season, the threat of a third wave of the pandemic, and the discovery of a sub-variant of coronavirus in several states, it would like to not lift the ban on the use of hookah in all public places such as hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, eatery houses, and discotheques. The HC was even apprised of the fact that the use of hookahs inside pubs and restaurants is a violation of the provisions of the State’s Fire Prevention and Safety Act, according to a report published by Hindustan Times.

The HC asked the petitioners to submit their response in connection with the matter. November 12 has been set as the next date for the hearing on the matter.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Delhi recorded 37 new cases of COVID-19, taking its tally to 14,39,788. No fatality was recorded for the seventh day now, as per the Health Department's bulletin.