Representational.
New Delhi: Delhi administration decided to enforce mask-wearing and levy a ₹500 fine on violators after the recent Covid-19 cases uptick. It has started forming teams to ensure and enforce the mask mandate, PTI reported.
An order issued by the South Delhi district cited the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and said that the positivity rate of Covid-19 infection has increased in Delhi over the past fortnight.
The order said, "The DDMA, after examining all the relevant facts related to the issue of penal provisions for not adhering to Covid protocol of wearing of mask at public places, decided that in relation to the clause 3(h)(c) whereby not wearing of face mask/cover in all public places has been made an offence, a fine of ₹ 500 for not wearing of face mask/cover in all public places in Delhi will be imposed."
However, the fine is not applicable to those travelling in private four-wheelers.
The order further said that the South Delhi district had formed three teams to enforce the mask mandate. They will work under the tehsildars from the concerned sub-divisions and report on a daily basis the number of challans issued to the Coordination Branch of the district. Each team will comprise 15 civil defence volunteers besides the district officials to visit public places such as markets, it said.
"We will ensure that Covid-appropriate behaviour is followed at crowded places such as markets, which are attracting more crowds due to festivals," South East district magistrate Isha Khosla informed.
She said that Enforcement teams are being formed, and their number will be increased if needed. The number of teams in the sub-divisions depends on the need at the ground, it is 4-5 at present, she added.
On Wednesday, the national capital reported eight deaths and 2,146 new Covid cases with a positivity rate of 17.83 per cent. The death count was the highest in 180 days.
The number of fresh cases has been above 2,000 in the past week. The number of active Covid cases in Delhi stands at 8,205, down from 8,506 the previous day. As many as 5,549 patients are in home isolation.