New Delhi: Coronavirus situation has improved drastically in India following mandatory use of facemasks as a person has to pay a minimum Rs 2,000 in fine for failing to wear the protective gear in public places, including cars.
People are not allowed to enter public places without masks and if anyone is found without mask, he or she has to pay the minimum fine immediately. People are bound to wear masks whether they are staying in cars, buses or metro services.
In fact, the capital Delhi and most of the metropolitan cities and several state governments have made it mandatory to use masks.
In a public function, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged this with satisfaction when he says, “Normal activities of people are possible when we pay much attention to the precautions related to corona as we are giving on vaccination. The infection has subsided but still we do not have to take this virus lightly.”
A few months back the Delhi High Court said a mask is compulsory even if a person is driving alone or sitting inside in private vehicle.
A car will be taken as “public place” rules the Delhi HC. The Delhi High Court said that mask acts as a ‘surakhsakavach’ (safety armour), which would prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Announcing the decision while hearing a case involving fines for not wearing a mask while driving alone, Judge Pratibha M Singh said, “Even if you are alone in the car, why object to wearing mask? It is for your own safety.” She also said, “When a car stops at a traffic signal, a driver often has to roll down their window. The corona virus is so contagious that even in that time, anyone can be infected.”
Meanwhile, Indian Health Ministry in a press release issued on Monday said: “80.85 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far during the nationwide vaccination programme. Presently, active cases account for less than 1 percent [currently 0.95 percent], lowest since March 2020. Total recovery rate of patients is 97 percent.”
