New Delhi: The Delhi Disaster Managemnent Authority (DDMA) on Thursday decided to stop levying the Rs 500 fine for not wearing the masks in public places. It has also said that compulsion on weating the masks under the Epidemic Act will not be extended beyond September 30.
In an order issued on October 20, DDMA said that “compulsory wearing of masks under the Epidemic Act may not be extended beyond 30.09.2022 and hence, a Fine of Rs. 500/- for not wearing of masks in public places would also stand withdrawn after 30.09.2022.”
“There is a provision to impose a penalty of Rs. 500/- on general public for not wearing face mask in public places, stands withdrawn after 30.09.2022. However, in crowded public places, all public are advised to wear mask, the order further stated.
The decision to withdraw the earlier guidelines came after a substantial fall in positivity rate of the Covid cases was registered. However the authority has advised people to wear masks in crowded places.
“DDMA in its meeting held on 22.09.2022 noted that the positivity rate of COVID-19 infection has come down substantially and a majority of the population has been vaccinated,” the order stated.
Earlier on Wednesday, former Director of Delhi AIIMS, Dr Randeep Guleria urged the common people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour. However Guleria also said that the chances of hospitalisation and ICU admissions are low.
"New variants are expected and this variant has a tendency to mutate that will continue, but now the situation is different, earlier, there was no vaccination, but people are now vaccinated also. But this doesn't mean that people will stop taking precautions, festival season is coming up and cases are also rising," news agency ANI had quoted Guleria as saying.
In April 2022, a penalty of Rs 500 was reimposed in the national capital for not wearing mask in public places by the city authorities following the rise in Covid cases.