Two Weeks After Mandate Was Lifted, Delhi Makes Masks Mandatory Again; Rs 500 Fine On Violators

The Delhi government on Wednesday made the wearing of masks mandatory in public places and imposed a fine of Rs 500 on violators.

Officials said the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), in its meeting, also decided not to shut schools but chose to come up with a separate Standard Operating Procedure in consultation with experts.

BCCL

The government is expected to issue an official order regarding the mandatory use of masks soon.

Short-lived respite

Nearly three weeks ago, when Delhi witnessed a dip in the daily infections, the DDMA had issued an order removing the fine for not wearing masks. However, it had advised people to continue using them in crowded places.

Over the past few days, the daily COVID-19 infection has been on the rise. According to yesterday's bulletin, Delhi recorded 632 fresh cases. For the third consecutive day, the national capital reported over 500 daily infections.

BCCL

With the increase in infection among children, many, especially a section of parents had been demanding that the schools in the national capital should switch back to online mode.

DDMA meeting

In the DDMA meeting, emphasis was laid on vaccination of eligible groups as it will help keep in check the impact of the pandemic, officials said.

Several participants asserted that there was no need to panic since the number of hospitalisations was low despite a rise in new COVID cases, they said.

It was highlighted that the trends of hospitalisation needed to be closely monitored for the next fortnight as well as conducting genome sequencing of all positive samples put through RTPCR test.

PTI

It was also decided to raise the number of tests being done with the focus on people with symptoms, they said.

According to official figures, there are 9,735 beds for COVID patients in Delhi hospitals and just 80 (0.82 per cent) of them are occupied.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal who chaired the 36th meeting of DDMA to review the COVID-19 situation said "It was decided to make the wearing of masks mandatory in public places."

"It was also emphasised that in consultation with experts standard operating procedures for prevention and management of Covid-19 should be laid down for schools and their strict enforcement by school management should be ensured," he said.

In the larger interest of students, in case of non-compliance or violation of SOPs penalty as deemed appropriate should be imposed for creating a deterrent effect.

Advised all the agencies to remain vigilant and work in coordination to tackle the situation as it emerges.

ĄĒ LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) April 20, 2022

Masks back on in UP also

Earlier, on Monday, the Uttar Pradesh government made wearing masks compulsory at public places in 6 NCR districts and capital Lucknow.

Use of masks is now mandatory in public places in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Bulandshahr, and Baghpat as well as Lucknow.

For more on news, sports and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.