Covid-19: Punjab Makes Masks Mandatory In Public As Coronavirus Cases Surge

This order by the Punjab government’s Department of Home Affairs and Justice comes in view of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in some of the states and Union Territories, ANI reported.

Representative Image (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Punjab government on Thursday issued a fresh advisory asking the residents to wear face masks at large and close gatherings.

This order by the Punjab government’s Department of Home Affairs and Justice comes in view of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in some of the states and Union Territories, ANI reported.

The authorities have been asked to keep a close watch on social gatherings and ramp-up testing.

The wearing of masks should be specially ensured in the closed environments like public transports like buses, trains, aircraft, taxi etc. cinema halls, shopping malls, departmental stores etc. classrooms, office-rooms and indoor gatherings etc, said the order issued by Anurag Verma, Principal Secretary to  the Punjab government, Department of Home Affairs and Justice.

Punjab follows Delhi, the National Capital Region (NCR) and some neighbouring states who have once again made the mask mandatory in public places in many of their districts due to the rise in Covid-19 cases.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Delhi government in view of a spike in coronavirus cases in the national capital decided to make the wearing of masks mandatory again in public places and impose a fine of Rs 500 in case of a violation.

Earlier on Monday, the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana decided to bring back the mask mandates in some of their districts amid the fear of the fourth wave of Covid-19.

Meanwhile, more than 192.27 crore vaccine doses have been provided to the states and Union Territories so far through the Government of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category.

More than 20.16 crore balance and unutilized Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and Union Territories to be administered.