Mask mandate returns to Delhi, violators to pay Rs 500

New Delhi, April 20: The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Wednesday reinforced the mask mandate in the national capital making non-wearing in public places a punishable offence attracting a fine of Rs 500, officials said. The announcement came after a meeting of DDMA held Wednesday in view of the uptick in Covid-19 cases. The meeting was chaired by the Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Health Minister Satyendar Jain and several health experts. Meanwhile, it was also decided in the meeting that the schools will remain open, according to the officials. This has been given attention especially after Delhi NCR region schools also reported COVID infections in staff and students. The agency is expected to release detailed Covid safety SOPs after discussing them with experts. Meanwhile, the Delhi Government will also issue detailed SOPs shortly for all schools. Schools across Delhi-NCR have sprung into action following a spike in Covid cases and are taking various measures, including frequent sanitization, to restrict the spread of the virus. The Delhi government has recently directed the school authorities to temporarily shut specific wings or the whole school (if required) in case a student or teacher is found infected. (UNI)