According to the reports, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is set to withdraw a $500 fine for not wearing masks in public places in the national capital. The no-mask fine was set at 2,000 in November before being reduced to 500 in February. The Delhi government lifted the $500 fine for not wearing face masks in public places on April 2 because daily infections were relatively low. However, the fine was re-imposed within three weeks as the number of new cases in the national capital nearly tripled between April 11 and April 18.
In addition to waiving the fine, the DDMA has extended the service contracts of health care workers employed by Covid hospitals until the end of the year.
According to city health department data, the city has recorded 74 new Covid infections in the last 24 hours, with a case positivity rate of 1.07 percent. On Tuesday, no Covid-related fatalities were reported. There are currently 45 containment zones in Delhi.
Meanwhile, India recorded 1,968 new infections on Tuesday, compared to over 3,000 cases on Monday. Over 26,300 new infections were reported in India in the week ending October 2. The daily Covid tally on Tuesday was the lowest in 133 days. On May 23, a total of 1,675 cases were reported in a 24-hour period.
After two years of muted celebrations due to the virus, the latest dip is being viewed as a respite by thousands across the country.