Amid a rise in Covid cases in the city, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Tuesday made wearing face masks compulsory in the national capital. Those found roaming at public places without masks would invite punitive action. A fine of Rs 500 will be slapped on the violators.
Sources told India TV that the schools are unlikely to be closed in the national capital and continue physical classes. There were reports that the hybrid model of teaching in schools would return as many children have been found Covid positive.
"Schools will not be closed and will continue with offline classes. Schools have been asked to report all cases to the education department and ensure that Covid protocols are followed strictly. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is constantly monitoring the situation in schools," a senior official said.
Sources said that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is closely monitoring the situation in the backdrop of rising Covid cases in the national capital. He has directed officials to resort to aggressive testing and give more emphasis on vaccination for eligible age groups.
Schools have been directed to take various measures, including frequent sanitisation, to restrict the spread of the virus to a minimum and thus, avoid the closure of campuses. The Delhi government had earlier told school authorities to close specific wings or classrooms wherever any student or teacher is found infected.
Besides, authorities have been asked to keep a close watch on social gatherings and events like weddings.
Notably, the use of masks by people in Delhi had considerably gone down after a fine of Rs 500 was withdrawn by the DDMA earlier this month. The government had lifted the fine of Rs 500 on not wearing face masks at public places through an order on April 2.
According to the Delhi government's health bulletin on Tuesday, 632 fresh cases were reported in the last 24 hours. The number of hospitalisations, however, is very low and deaths due to Covid are negligible. On Monday, 501 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the national capital with a positivity rate of 7.72 per cent and zero deaths.
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