Delhi Makes Mask Mandatory Again, Violators To Pay Rs 500 Fine

The authority added that schools, markets, and other economic activities would remain open in adherence to the SOPs.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Wednesday, 20 April, announced that wearing masks in Delhi will be mandatory again.

Following a review meeting, DDMA announced that those found in violation of the rule will have to pay Rs 500 in fine, news agency ANI reported, quoting sources.

The meeting was also attended by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot, and senior officials from the health department.

During the meet, health officials were asked to keep a close watch on the B.1.10 and B.1.12 variants of COVID-19, which are likely to be more transmissible. The DDMA sought genome sequencing testing on all RT-PCR positive samples.

Schools Would Remain Open, Vaccination Likely To Be Ramped Up

DDMA added that schools, markets and other economic activities would remain open in adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

However, after a consultation with experts, guidelines will be issued to prevent the spread of the virus at campuses, reported NDTV quoting sources.

Random testing will also be conducted at metro stations, markets, and other public places.

Drives will also be carried out in markets and other crowded places to maintain social distancing, and enforce COVID-19 protocols.

Meanwhile, Delhi's Lt Governor Anil Baijal said that SOPs should be adopted in schools in consultation with experts, and that the school authorities should ensure that they are strictly enforced, ANI reported.

Baijal also added that in the larger interest of students, a penalty should be imposed on people who do not comply with the SOPs, to create a deterrent effect.

The announcement comes just days after the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments made the wearing of face masks in public places compulsory in certain districts on Monday.

On Friday, 1 April, DDMA had scrapped the hitherto-imposed fine for not wearing a mask in public places. However, it still advised people to wear masks in public to prevent COVID-19 spread.

Delhi Witnessing Exponential Rise in COVID Cases

Delhi has been witnessing an exponential rise in infections in the past week.

A whopping 265.69 percent surge was observed in the number of COVID-19 cases in the past week in Delhi, the data released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare showed:

• Monday, 18 April: 501 cases

• Sunday, 17 April: 517 cases

• Saturday, 16 April: 461 cases

• Friday, 15 April: 366 cases

• Thursday, 14 April: 325 cases

• Wednesday, 13 April: 299 cases

• Tuesday, 12 April: 202 cases

• Monday, 11 April: 137 cases

The national capital reported 632 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours leading to Tuesday. According to the Union Health Ministry's data the figure showed a 26 percent rise in COVID-19 cases compared to the previous day. However, the positivity rate plummeted from 7.72 percent on Monday to 4.42 on Tuesday.

(With inputs from NDTV and ANI.)