Alone in car, no mask is needed

Jubilee News Desk

A single person driving their car or riding bicycle alone does not have to wear a face mask, the union health ministry has clerified.

But if the number is more than one in the car or it is a group bicycle ride or doing exercise then wearing a mask is a must to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the Union Health Ministry has said. The order comes at a time when fresh cases are rising and India is making new record in fresh cases, though the recovery rate is also rising considerably.

There are no guidelines from the Union Health Ministry on wearing a face mask when a person is driving a car alone or a person is doing an out-door exercising/cycling alone, said Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary.

Bhushan replied in response to a question raised–if it is mandatory for a person to wear a mask while driving a car alone or a single person doing exercise.

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“In the last few days, people have gained awareness of the benefits of physical activities. We have seen people are doing cycling and exercise or jogging in groups. It is mandatory for people to wear masks and follow social distancing when they are in a group while exercising or jogging, so that they do not infect each other.

If a person is cycling alone, then he does not require to wear a mask as there is no such direction from the health ministry,” said Bhushan during a media briefing on COVID-19 update in India.