Covid Guidelines: UP Govt Makes Face Masks Mandatory Again In Seven Districts

The Uttar Pradesh government made it compulsory for people to wear a face mask in public places in the capital Lucknow and six NCR districts

Pedestrians wearing masks in crowded places (Getty Images /File Photo)

New Delhi: As India is again witnessing a surge in Covid cases, the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday has taken steps to curb the spread of the virus. The Yogi Adityanath government has issued orders making masks mandatory in public places in cities which are reporting a rise in positivity rate. 

The UP government said, "In view of an increase in Covid cases, wearing face masks in public places is mandatory in Gautam Budh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat, and Lucknow."

The increase in Covid cases has had an impact on the districts falling under the national capital region (NCR). Keeping this in mind, the government has made use of masks mandatory in public places in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat as well as capital Lucknow, an official spokesperson said to PTI.

In the last 24 hours, 65 new Covid cases have been confirmed in Gautam Buddh Nagar, 20 in Ghaziabad, and 10 in Lucknow, the official said, adding that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered close monitoring of the situation.

In view of the improving COVID-19 situation, the Uttar Pradesh government had given relaxation in wearing face masks earlier this month.

The rise in Covid cases in the national capital is also a cause of concern for Uttar Pardesh. 

Delhi on Sunday recorded 517 fresh COVID-19 cases, 56 more than the previous day, with a positivity rate of 4.21 per cent while no death was reported, according to city health department data.

With these new cases, the city's infection tally has risen to 18,68,550 while the death toll stood at 26,160. Delhi has been witnessing an upward trend in daily COVID-19 cases positivity rate in the last few days.