Delhi government on Saturday said people travelling in private four wheelers will no longer be challaned for not wearing masks. The order released by the administration will come into effect from Monday. The fine for not wearing masks in public places and not abiding by social distancing norms has also been reduced from Rs 2,000 to Rs 500.
After two months of Covid-induced restrictions that eventually took a toll on economic activities, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Friday decided to lift all Covid-related restrictions. This means, the night curfew will be lifted, markets can stay open till 10 pm, and restaurants, bars, cafes, and cinema halls can function at 100 per cent seating capacity. Further, DDMA said schools would discontinue online/hybrid classes, and only physical classes would be held from April 1.
The move comes following a dip in Covid-19 cases. The national capital recorded 460 fresh infections and two deaths on Friday. With 56,984 Covid-19 tests conducted on Friday, the positivity rate dropped to 0.81 per cent, according to the city health department.
Meanwhile, parts of Delhi witnessed a hailstorm accompanied by lightning and thunder on Friday night. The rainfall occurred due to the western disturbance affecting northwest India. On Saturday, too, the city is likely to receive light to moderate rainfall, along with isolated thunderstorms and lightning. From January 1 to February 25, Delhi has recorded 95.7 mm of rainfall, which is far in excess of the 28.5 mm of rainfall that is considered normal for this period.