No fines for not wearing mask while driving alone

NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry has clarified that it is not mandatory for a person driving a car and travelling alone to wear a mask. The clarification comes in the wake of policemen stopping and prosecuting such drivers.
Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, “The guidelines issued by the health ministry do not contain any directive that a person driving a car alone is required to wear a mask.If you are exercising in a group, you need a mask. But there is no directive to wear one if you are cycling alone.”
Bhushan said while people exercising in a group should wear masks and maintain social distancing, the same does not apply to those travelling inside vehicles alone. “People are getting into more physical activities and jogging and exercising in groups of twos and threes. In such cases, masks are compulsory since it is important that they do not infect each other. However, if you are cycling alone, then there is no mandatory rule on wearing masks,” he added.
Sources said while Delhi Police had been going easy on lone car drivers, they officially maintained that they were legally bound to prosecute them. On August 25, Delhi Police had tweeted: “Some concerns have been raised on challaning a driver when he or she is alone in a vehicle. DDMA order dated June 13 permits Delhi Police to challan an individual not wearing a mask in a public place.”
A senior officer clarified, “According to a Supreme Court order, a person travelling in a car is considered to be in a public place. Therefore, we have been issuing challans.”