Covid-19: No-mask fine back in Delhi; schools told to stay open

As expected, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority reinstated the mask mandate in public places on Wednesday and imposed a penalty of Rs 500 for any violation barely three weeks after the fine was scrapped. However, it said schools would continue to function as usual, holding physical classes, despite concerns about Covid infection among unvaccinated children.

Atul Mathur ,
TNN

Updated On Apr 21, 2022 at 05:20 AM IST

NEW DELHI: As expected, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority reinstated the mask mandate in public places on Wednesday and imposed a penalty of Rs 500 for any violation barely three weeks after the fine was scrapped. However, it said schools would continue to function as usual, holding physical classes, despite concerns about Covid infection among unvaccinated children.

The authority asked the government to lay down a standard operating procedure for schools with the help of experts to deal with infections and containment of spread and ensure its strict compliance. Any violation of the SOP will attract a penalty as a deterrent, it said.

The meeting of the DDMA, chaired by lieutenant governor Anil Baijal, was called after a surge in positivity rate and daily Covid-19 cases over the last fortnight.

DDMA members and public health experts agreed that the situation in the city is under control and there is no need to consider tougher measures, including closure of schools or a partial lockdown, as of now.