Punjab Makes Wearing Masks Mandatory In Public Places Amid Rising Covid-19 Cases

Punjab government on Saturday issued an advisory, making it mandatory to wear masks in public places in view of a spurt in coronavirus cases

Punjab government made it mandatory to wear masks in public places.

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Coronavirus in Punjab: Punjab government on Saturday made it mandatory to wear masks in public places. The state government has taken this decision in view of the increasing cases amid the Coronavirus epidemic. Issuing the guidelines, the Punjab government said that it should be made mandatory to wear masks in educational institutions, government and private offices, malls, and public places.

"It has been observed that many people are not following Covid-appropriate behaviour, specially wearing of masks. Further, the number of Covid positive cases, positivity rate and hospitalisation are showing an upward trend," the advisory said.

According to the guidelines issued by the Punjab government, it will be mandatory for everyone to wear masks in government and private offices along with educational institutions. Masks will also be required in indoor and outdoor gatherings, malls and public places for the prevention of further spread of the virus well-being of every individual.

Punjab | Amid an upward trend in #COVID19 cases, the Punjab govt's Home Affairs dept issues an advisory to ensure "wearing of appropriate masks in all educational institutions, govt & pvt offices, indoor & outdoor gatherings, malls, public places, etcetera." pic.twitter.com/Ll0kuG3k9f

— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2022

Covid-appropriate behaviour like social distancing, respiratory etiquette and no spitting in public places must be followed, the advisory further said.

Anyone having symptoms of COVID-19 must get tested and follow the established protocol, it added.

All hospitals, labs, collection centres offering testing for COVID-19 should upload details of tests, including positive and negative results, on COVA Portal of the state government and also intimate the respective district and state COVID-19 cell, it said.

This decision comes after Punjab witnessed a spike in Covid cases cases in last one week. Seven patients died in Punjab on Tuesday due to Covid. So far, 20,405 patients have died in the state and after 406 fresh cases, a total of 7,77,764 people have tested positive for Coronavirus in Punjab. 

(With inputs from Jagwinder Patial)