Delhi to strictly enforce mask fines in view of COVID-19 spike

The fine will not be applicable to persons travelling together in private four-wheelers

With COVID-19 cases and the positivity rate rising in Delhi, the district officials have started forming teams to strictly enforce the mask mandate and issue a fine of ₹500 to violators, officials said.

The District Magistrates have been instructed to ensure that the laxity that had set in due to the reduction in cases is corrected and wearing masks in public places is strictly enforced, a senior Revenue Department officer said.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority(DDMA) has noted that the positivity rate of COVID-19 infection has increased in Delhi over the past fortnight, according to an order issued by the South Delhi district.

"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 Rs 500 for not wearing of face mask/cover in all public places in Delhi will be imposed," the order said.

The fine will not be applicable to persons travelling together in private four-wheelers, it said.

The South Delhi District Magistrate has formed three teams for enforcement of wearing face masks in public places.

The teams will work under the supervision of Tehsildars from the concerned sub-divisions who will monitor the enforcement exercise and report on a daily basis the number of challans issued to the Coordination Branch of the district, it said.