New Delhi: Amid raising Covid cases as 6,155 fresh cases were recorded on Saturday in the country, several states have made masks mandatory again.
Earlier on Friday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a review meeting with health ministers of state and Union Territories and asked all the state governments to stay alert amid the spurt in Covid cases across the states.
Mandaviya had a discussion on Covid testing and genome sequencing during the meeting and also said that they have to make the citizens aware of the suggested Covid rules and ask them to follow them.
He also announced that nationwide Covid mock drills will be conducted on April 10 and 11 to check the preparedness of all hospital infrastructures.
Haryana
The Manohar Lal Khattar government on Saturday announced the mandatory use of masks in public places to combat the recent surge in Covid-19 cases.
The decision to enforce the mandatory use of face masks by the general public was taken as a precautionary measure against another potential outbreak of Covid-19.
The statement issued by the Haryana Health Department read, "It has been decided that wearing a face mask by the general public at all public places where there is a gathering of more than 100 people, government offices, malls, etc. is mandatory."
The Haryana Health Department on Saturday reported 212 fresh Covid-19 cases.
Kerala
Kerala has also made masks mandatory for pregnant women, the elderly, and people with lifestyle diseases.
Health Minister Veena George held a meeting on Saturday to assess the Covid situation in the state. According to an official statement from the Health minister's office, Covid-19 deaths are mostly reported in people above 60 years of age and those with lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
"85 per cent of Covid deaths have been reported in people above 60 years of age. The remaining 15 per cent have other serious illnesses. As many as five people who did not go out of the house have died of covid," added the statement.
Informing about the safety measure, it said, "If there are elderly people or people with lifestyle diseases at home, a mask is mandatory for others too."
Kerala on Saturday reported 965 fresh cases.
Puducherry
Amid a surge in the number of cases, the Puducherry government on Friday issued an advisory and made face masks mandatory for people in public places.
“Wearing face masks in public places is mandatory in Puducherry,” District Collector E.Vallavan said.
Staff working in hospitals, hotels, bars, restaurants, liquor shops, hospitality and entertainment sectors, government offices and commercial establishments should compulsorily wear masks, the Collector said.