Breaking News Highlights: Schools to remain open in Delhi; masks mandatory

Breaking News LIVE: After a month of decline, Covid-19 cases have risen steadily across the country, with the virus affecting a significant number of children in Delhi and the neighbouring areas in past days. According to the latest Covid update, over 20 new infections have been reported in Ghaziabad in the last 24 hours, taking the number of active cases to around 150. Meanwhile, 107 new Covid cases were reported in Gautam Budh Nagar. With this, the number of active cases has risen to 441. Talking about coronavirus cases in children, the number almost reached the 200 mark. Around 162 students and staff have tested positive in over 25 schools in Noida and Ghaziabad, triggering panic among parents. Also Read | Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar appointed next Director-General of military operations

Breaking News Highlights:

02:01 pm | Despire rise in Covid-19 cases in Delhi, schools will remain open for now. Guidelines to curb spread of Covid on campuses will be issued soon. 01: 30 pm | Delhi makes masks mandatory; Rs 500 penalty for violation. Read more 11:40 am | Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that the government is not planning to impose a fine for not wearing face masks in Delhi. Read more  11:20 am | The Supreme Court has stopped the demolition drive in Delhi's Jahangirpuri, and has agreed to take up plea against the razing of houses of riot accused. Read more 10:05 am | India reported 2,067 new infections in the last 24 hours, 820 more than yesterday. The daily case positivity rate at 0.49 percent. 09:18 am | Seven members of a family charred to death as hut catches fire in Punjab's Ludhiana. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet. 09:12 am | In a fresh development with the Jahangirpuri violence case, Delhi police have arrested an arms supplier after a brief encounter in the area. According to DCP Outer North, Brijender Yadav, the arms supplier has over 60 cases registered against him. Read more 08:15 am | Heavy police deployment continues in Delhi's Jahangirpuri area to maintain law and order. Stone-pelting incidents took place on April 16 evening during a religious procession in the area. 08:00 am | Around 162 students from 25 schools in Noida and Ghaziabad have tested positive for Covid-19, triggering panic among parents. Parents in Noida and Ghaziabad have also written to the state government and schools, urging the authorities to allow hybrid classes for students below 12 years of age as the age group has not been vaccinated yet. Read more Also Read | Shiv Sena alleges motive of electoral gains behind Jahangirpuri violence -PTC News