Delhi brings back mask mandate, ₹500 fine for violation

Amid rising Covid-19 cases in the capital, Delhi Government on Wednesday made wearing of masks mandatory in public places and imposed a fine of Rs 500 on violators within a month after withdrawing the measure.

However, schools will continue to function. A Standard Operating Procedure will be put in place in consultation with experts.

These decisions were taken at a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) chaired by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal against the backdrop of sudden spurt in Covid-19 cases after fully lifting restrictions.

Officials have also been asked to keep a close watch on social gatherings and ramp up testing in the capital.

Read | Centre writes to several states as Covid cases spike

Like several other states, the Delhi government had earlier eased restrictions, including those on wearing masks.

However, in recent days states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana once again made it mandatory wearing of masks.

In Uttar Pradesh, wearing of masks was made mandatory in seven districts -- Lucknow, Guatam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Meerut, Hapur and Baghpat. Gurugram, Faridabad, Jhajjar and Sonipat are the districts in Haryana where masks have been mandatory again.

Except for Lucknow, all the other districts are closer to the national capital. Administration in Chandigarh also has ordered that wearing of masks mandatory in recent times.

Check out the latest DH videos here: