Srinagar (J&K): Now, J&K and Ladakh have gone ahead to make face masks mandatory for public and government officials.

The move comes after several states and Union territories including Odisha, Maharashtra, Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, have made wearing face masks mandatory for the public as a measure to contain the spread.

In an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) in J&K, face masks have been made mandatory for officers, staff, and visitors in the Civil Secretariat as a preventive measure to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The civil secretariat is presently functional as part of the bi-annual darbar move, under which the government functions six months each in Jammu and Srinagar during winter and summer months, respectively.

Accordingly, all the administrative secretaries are authorised to ensure the purchase of masks and provide three reusable masks for each employee in departments. The expenditure on this account shall be paid from the office expenses (OE) head, Additional Secretary, GAD, Rohit Sharma said.

In the event of the non-availability of masks in the open market, he said, the administrative secretaries would submit their requirements to the department of civil supplies, consumer affairs, and public distribution.

District Magistrate, Leh, Sachin Kumar Vaishya ordered the general public as well as the government officials (both civilian and armed forces) to mandatorily wear the face masks at public places without any exemption.

In case of any violation, penal action under rules shall be taken against the violators. This shall come into force with effect from Thursday under the order issued in exercise of powers under section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.