A large number of people have complained about not being asked to pay fine, while not wearing a mask inside their cars. The Union Health Ministry has not issued any specific guidelines recommending wearing of a mask if someone is driving a car or cycling alone. Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan confirmed at a press briefing,
Mask is mandatory only If there is more than one person in a car and group of people are exercising wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing so as not to infect each other”
The Secretary while addressing the Complaints and questions received against challans said that,
A large number of people have complained of not being fined for not wearing a mask while being inside in their cars as the COVID-19 cases soared in the country.
He further said,
“There are no guidelines from the Health Ministry on wearing a mask if a person is driving a car or riding a cycle alone.”
On average, the Delhi Police have been issuing fines against 1,200 to 1,500 people every day for riding a vehicle without face masks.
When asked by Hindustan Times, a senior Delhi Police officer said till date they are following guidelines issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), dated June 13, which say any person who is not wearing a face mask in a public place shall be liable for a fine of ₹500.
He further clarified that,
“Because a car is considered a public place, we are issuing fines. Any officer of the rank of a sub-inspector or above can issue the fine. We are yet to receive any written order that states otherwise. As soon as we receive the new directives, we will start following them,”
