Delhi, Maharashtra Scrap Fine For Not Wearing Mask: All You Need To Know

With the number of fresh Covid-19 cases being reported in the national capital reducing day by day, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) decided to do away with the fine for not wearing face masks in public places, sources said as quoted in a Times of India report. The authority, however, is set to issue an advisory asking people to continue wearing face masks and follow other Covid-appropriate behaviour.

Decision taken in COVID review meeting

Lieutenant governor Anil Baijal chaired DDMA¡¯s Covid-19 review meeting on Thursday, in the presence of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, deputy CM Manish Sisodia, revenue minister Kailash Gahlot, chief secretary Vijay Dev, Dr Randeep Guleria of AIIMS, Dr SK Singh of NCDC and Dr S Panda from ICMR, besides senior officials.

AP

Masks still a must

¡°The mandate to wear face masks has not been removed but those found not wearing a mask in public places would not be penalised anymore. However, they will be advised to wear a mask and follow other safety measures,¡± an official said on the condition of anonymity.

Maharashtra did the same

The decision came soon after Maharashtra too lifted all pandemic-related curbs, and did away with fines for not wearing masks and mandatory double vaccination for using public transport or entry into public spaces. The relaxations come into effect from April 2. Wearing of masks will now be ¡°advised¡±, authorities said.

Agencies

Currently, the fine for not wearing a face mask in public is Rs 500 in Delhi.

Last month, the amount had been reduced from Rs 2,000 to Rs 500 by DDMA while it lifted other Covid-related restrictions.

¡°While almost all restrictions have been removed, those visiting hospitals and with ILI (influenza-like illness) and SARI (severe acute respiratory infections) symptoms would have to get mandatorily tested for Covid-19,¡± the official said. ¡°Also, all Covid-19 positive test samples would be sent for genome sequencing to identify the variant causing the infection.¡±

Agencies

Delhi COVID status

Delhi recorded zero Covid-19 deaths and 113 fresh cases with a test positivity rate of 0.49% on Thursday. Currently, Delhi has 458 active cases and 62 of the 9,791 beds are occupied. So, 99.4% of the beds reserved for Covid-19 patients in hospitals are vacant.

¡°Notwithstanding the decline in Covid-positive cases, after detailed discussions with experts it was decided to focus on hospital-based sentinel surveillance and enhance vaccination coverage of the targeted population,¡± Baijal tweeted after the DDMA meeting.

¡°While appreciating the efforts made by all stakeholders in management of Covid-19, (the meeting) emphasised the need to follow the 5-fold strategy of Test, Track, Treat, Vaccinate and adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour as advised by the ministry of health and family welfare, GOI,¡± he tweeted. ¡°To effectively meet any scenario in future that may arise, advised all agencies to remain vigilant without lowering the guard,¡± he said.