Mandatory mask rule, fines back in Delhi as Covid cases rise again

Sharp rise in test positivity rate in Delhi past few weeks; doctors say many admitted for other ailments testing Covid-positive; Mumbai also sees spurt in cases

Masks are back in the national capital, bringing back memories of the Covid-19 wave that kept the country on its toes for a large part of the last two years. After the test positivity rate crossed 17 per cent in Delhi and over 5.7 per cent of its hospital beds were occupied, the city brought back the mandatory mask rule.

Violating the mask guidelines will attract a fine of Rs 500.

Tamil Nadu had already made masks mandatory a few months ago and the step seems to have paid off. A Business Standard analysis showed that Chennai’s test positivity rate has remained