Wearing a face mask is once again mandatory in Delhi, with the local authorities imposing a fine of INR 500 ($6) for any violation starting Thursday.
The rule, however, is not applicable for persons traveling in a private vehicle with four wheels.
The decision was announced following a record 17.87 percent COVID-positive rate registered in the national capital on Wednesday. This rate indicates the number of cases per hundred COVID tests.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority said that the positivity rate of COVID-19 infection had increased in the Union Territory over the past fortnight.
In the last 24 hours, Delhi reported eight deaths, the highest single day fatalities in the last six months.
In April, the Delhi government lifted the mask mandate.
The federal health ministry, presenting daily figures across the country, said that the daily positivity rate jumped to 4.94 percent on Wednesday compared to the weekly positivity rate of 4.90 percent.
The tally of COVID-19 cases in the country has now increased to 44.2 million.