New Delhi: Amid the continuous jump in positivity rate in the national capital, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday has decided to make masks compulsory again along with other restrictions to control the spread of the virus.
The decision was taken after Delhi LG Anil Baijal chaired 36th meeting of the DDMA to review the Covid situation in the capital city.
In the meeting, Baijal said, it was also emphasised that in consultation with experts standard operating procedures for prevention and management of Covid-19 should be laid down for schools and their strict enforcement by school management should be ensured.
The authority, after its meeting chaired by the Delhi Lt Governor today, said that the residents of the national capital will have to compulsorily wear masks in public places. According to ABP News sources, DDMA is likely to impose Rs 500 fine for not wearing masks.
The authority further said that they will be conducting aggressive testing across the city to analyse the spread of the disease. They will also be giving emphasis on vaccination drive for eligible age groups and will urge people to get the jab to stop the virus from spreading further.
Though various cases have been reported from the schools, for the time being, the schools will remain open and the authorities will have to follow the guidelines issued by DDMA.
The SoPs for schools will be prepared in consultation with the expert so both teachers and students remain safe in the environment and their education is not hampered.
The DDMA instructed its officials to communicate the guidelines properly to the school administration and ensure its implementation.
It further said that the authority will be keeping a close watch on social gatherings.
According to a PTI report, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also keeping a close watch on the situation.
This comes amid a huge spike on Coronavirus cases in Delhi. The national capital recorded a nearly 26 per cent jump in fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.
The health department said 632 fresh cases were reported on Wednesday and the positivity rate was 4.42 per cent.
The city had on Monday recorded 501 cases and zero death while the positivity rate stood at 7.72 per cent.