A sudden rise in Covid cases driven by a new variant named JN.1 has triggered concerns across the country. Several states have started issuing mask advisories while experts suggest aggressive testing.

One thing that can be guaranteed about COVID is that evolution will provide us with a more or less constant stream of new coronavirus variants, some of which will be more successful at infecting people.

Beijing's subway has dropped mandatory mask requirements for travellers, local media reported on Sunday, days after a Chinese health expert said the threat of COVID-19 to humans is no longer at a serious level.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Saturday said that 1801 new Covid cases have been reported in the state in the last 24 hours.

The Delhi government today issued a mask advisory to symptomatic people as coronavirus cases surge in the national capital.

The face mask seems to have been created from paper in the form of a large beak and supported by threads.

In view of a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 in countries like China, the state government had said it would review its preparedness and the measures to be taken.

Amid fresh concerns over coronavirus, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday advised parliamentarians to wear a mask and spread awareness about Covid-appropriate behaviour.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting ministers and top officials to review the Covid situation in India after four cases of the Omicron sub-variant driving a massive China surge were found in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today cautioned against complacency as China and some other countries witness a surge in Covid cases. PM also called for strict vigil and directed that the ongoing surveillance measures be strengthened.

The central government has asked states to keep a sharp lookout for any new variants of the coronavirus and urged people to wear masks in crowded areas.

The civil aviation ministry today said the use of masks is not compulsory during air travel but passengers should preferably use them amid the declining number of coronavirus cases.

Those not wearing masks in public places in Delhi will no longer be fined, the administration has decided after a drop in coronavirus cases in the city.

India recorded 2,468 new coronavirus infections, raising the tally to 4,46,01,934, while the active cases declined to 33,318, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

Take Strict Action Against Mask Violators, Airlines Told As Cases Rise

Punjab has made it a must to wear mask in public places amid rise in COVID-19 cases.

With COVID-19 cases on the rise, the Karnataka government is mulling over imposing fines for not wearing masks in public places here.

North Korea abruptly stopped importing COVID-19 prevention and control products from China in May, trade data released by Beijing showed, after the country bought face masks and ventilators from its neighbour in previous months.

Thailand announced Friday it would drop rules requiring people to wear masks outdoors and no longer require foreign visitors to register before travel, as Covid-19 cases fall and the kingdom seeks to lure tourists back.

BJP chief JP Nadda on Wednesday praised what he called "Modiji's Suraksha Kavach", pointing to the laxity in observance of Covid safety measures in Kolkata.

The lack of masks at airports and in flights has been made actionable again as Covid numbers started climbing in parts of the country.

The Mumbai metropolitan region, Pune and Thane are among six districts of Maharashtra where coronavirus cases are rising rapidly, state health minister Rajesh Tope has said, urging people to wear masks.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said people should use face masks, vaccinate themselves and follow discipline if they don't wish to experience COVID-19 restrictions again.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has said residents of districts in the state that are reporting an increase in daily coronavirus infections should start taking more caution and wear masks.