Mask compulsory when travelling alone? Health Ministry has this to say

New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has informed Delhi High Court that there is no directive from the ministry on wearing a mask when a person is in a car alone.

The government was responding to an affidavit in a plea filed by Saurabh Sharma, a lawyer, challenging the Rs 500 challan issued to him for not wearing a mask while he was driving alone in his private car.

He also sought a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for publicly causing mental harassment.

As per the Delhi Epidemic Diseases (Management of Covid-19) Regulations 2020, issued under the Epidemic Diseases Act, authorities can impose a fine of Rs 500 for the first time and Rs 1,000 for a repeated violation of the guidelines, which mandate “wearing of face mask/cover in all public places/workplaces”.

Pointing out this, Mr Sharma argued that the guidelines only state that the mask has to be worn in a public place or place of work.

MoHFW has submitted that health is a state subject and therefore, the present matter, prima facie, pertains to Delhi Government and prayed to remove the ministry’s name from the list of array of parties. (UNI)