Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday approached the Centre to permit mini lockdowns at markets and restrict the number of guests at weddings, a day after the state government claimed that the “third wave” of the coronavirus had peaked in the capital and that wearing a mask alone would be enough.

Kejriwal said in a webcast: “Following the central government’s guidelines and considering the marriage season, the Delhi government had earlier allowed 200 guests at weddings.… Only 50 people will now be allowed at weddings in the capital considering the spike in the number of Covid cases in Delhi. I have sent the proposal to the lieutenant governor of Delhi for his approval.”

The chief minister added: “Secondly, we witnessed massive crowds at some of the popular markets of Delhi before Diwali. At these markets, no social distancing was followed and due to this situation, the number of Covid-19 cases has surged significantly in the capital.

“In the last order passed by the central government, it was noted that permission to impose local lockdowns in the state should be taken from the Centre. In view of the recent situation and considering the last order of the central government, we have requested the Centre to permit shutting down market places if necessary. I do believe that such harsh measures would not be required.”

The AAP traders’ wing has called a meeting of 200 trade bodies on Wednesday to allay fears that a total lockdown could be imposed again.

The AAP government has not offered any explanation so far for the steep drop in the number of tests conducted since Diwali on November 14.