Kovid Update: Delhi withdraws ₹500 fine for not wearing masks in public places

The order said that the services of health care workers hired on contract in Kovid hospitals have been extended till the end of the year.

Earlier in April, DDMA had passed the order Stating that masks will be mandatory with penalties for violations After 500 it saw an increase in the cases of Kovid.

However, in a meeting held last month, the DDMA insisted on not reducing protection against COVID due to upcoming festivals, even as it decided to do away with wearing face masks after September 30. had decided.

According to the minutes of the meeting released by Sushil Singh, Special CEO, Disaster Management, the decision to revoke the mask mandate was anything but unanimous and differences.

Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar had said in the meeting that the current situation is comfortable but the protection against corona virus cannot be reduced as variants keep coming up.

The health ministry has advised caution in view of the many festivals – from 26 September to 31 December – and possible mass gatherings across the country.

NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul had emphasized in the meeting that surveillance is still needed as the virus is still present and its mutations and variants have emerged from time to time.

NDMA member Dr Rajendra Singh suggested that wearing of masks be continued till 15th November in view of the upcoming festivals.

The Delhi Police Commissioner sought clarity and a complete set of instructions on implementing the mask mandate.

The Chief Secretary suggested that now a “self discipline mode” can be tried as the public is well aware of their responsibilities and what is a COVID-appropriate behaviour.

The meeting, chaired by LG VK Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in attendance, briefly agreed that although wearing of masks was useful in maintaining COVID-appropriate behaviour, the mandate to make wearing of masks mandatory under the Epidemic Act was postponed to 30 September. cannot be extended beyond. ,

The DDMA also approved demolition and vacating of the covid care centers built on the properties of Radha Swami Satsang, Chhatarpur, Swan Kripal, Burari and Sant Nirankari, Burari. It was also decided that the medical equipment would be shifted to the hospitals where it would be needed. Due to the spike in cases, 11 COVID care centers were set up in the national capital.

Meanwhile, Delhi recorded 74 new Covid cases on Tuesday with a positivity rate of 1.07 per cent. The department, in its latest bulletin, had said that there have been no deaths related to Kovid. The number of active COVID-19 cases in Delhi stands at 359, the bulletin said. The bulletin states that a total of 262 patients are in home isolation.

It added that there are 45 containment zones in Delhi. The number of daily COVID-19 cases in Delhi touched a record high of 28,867 on January 13 during the third wave of the pandemic. The city recorded a positivity rate of 30.6 per cent on January 14, the highest during the third wave.

(with inputs from agencies)