The Delhi government restored masks required in public areas with immediate effect on Friday, less than three weeks after relaxing the requirement. The government also set a fine of Rs. 500 for any infraction, as coronavirus infections have risen in the city once again.

According to an order issued by the city’s Health and Family Welfare Department, however, those travelling together in a private four-wheeler are exempt from the new regulation. Despite the fact that the order does not specify whether those travelling in hired cabs and taxis are forced to wear masks, a top official has stated that they are not exempt from the requirement.

Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) voted last Wednesday to make masks mandatory in public areas, with a fine of Rs. 500 for any infringement, following a meeting that took place the day before.  A report from the Delhi Development and Management Authority (DDMA) meeting, which was attended by Lt Governor Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal among others, observed that the Covid case positive rate has been growing in Delhi over the previous fortnight.

The DDMA stated in its order issued on Friday that it made the decision on the fine after thoroughly reviewing all relevant facts pertaining to the subject of penal provisions for failing to adhere to the protocol of wearing masks in public places.”A punishment of Rs. 500 will be imposed for failure to wear a face mask in all public locations in Delhi, effective immediately and continuing until further orders,” the DDMA stated.

The Delhi administration lifted the Rs 500 fine for failing to wear a face mask in public areas on April 2 since the number of instances had been under control for a few weeks prior to that.The Delhi government has changed its restrictions for persons travelling in private automobiles on at least two occasions this year, according to the latest available information.

On February 4, the DDMA announced that single passengers travelling in a private vehicle were no longer required to wear masks. From February 26, however, the rule was changed to state that no fine will be levied on groups of people travelling together in a private car if they do not comply with the mask requirement.

Coronavirus cases and positivity rates have been on the rise in the national capital during the last few days, according to the latest data. On Thursday, it received 965 new cases and recorded one death. The previous day, on Wednesday, the number of new cases had surpassed the thousand mark.