Delhi Covid Update: DDMA To Hold Crucial Meet Wednesday, Masks May Become Mandatory

The DDMA meeting may also focus on offering options of the offline and online mode of teaching at schools due to reports of children being infected

Covid test kit ( Getty Image)

New Delhi:  In view of the rising Covid-19 cases, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Wednesday is likely to discuss mandatory use of face masks along with offline and online teaching for school children, said PTI, citing sources.

The use of face masks dropped drastically in the capital city after the Delhi government withdrew Rs 500 fine for not wearing masks in early April.

While neighbouring Uttar Pradesh Monday made it compulsory for people to wear a face mask in public places in its capital city Lucknow and six NCR districts including Noida and Ghaziabad due to increasing Covid cases in adjoining states.

"In view of the UP government today making it compulsory for residents of six National Capital Region (NCR) cities of the state, the mandatory mask use in Delhi is most likely to be discussed with reimposing fines for its strict implementation during the meeting," said a senior Delhi government officer, according to the PTI report.

The DDMA meeting may also focus on offering options of offline and online mode of teaching at schools due to reports of children being infected, as per the PTI report.

The number of school going children testing positive has increased in the city raising concerns among parents. The Delhi government has instructed school authorities to keep those specific wings or classrooms shut wherever any student or teacher is found infected, as per the report.

Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain on Monday said even as the number of Covid-19 cases is rising in the national capital, it is not an alarming situation as the rate of hospitalisation is low.

Delhi reported 137 fresh Covid-19 cases on Monday with the positivity rate rising to 2.70 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department.