As Covid Returns, Does Your State Have A Mask Mandate? Here's A List Of Places, Fines

Amid an alarming surge in coronavirus cases in several states, governments have made wearing a face mask mandatory again. Many of them had decided to do away with the mask early this month as Centre removed all Covid restrictions and the coronavirus cases started showing a declining trend.

However, owing to a sudden spike in Delhi, Haryana, UP among other states and the detection of new variants, some states have made wearing masks compulsory again.

PTI

List of states, fines

Here is list of states where masks are mandatory, and the fine you will have to pay for not wearing a mask:

Delhi: As the number of daily infections in the national capital started rising again, the Delhi authorities reimposed the mask mandate on Wednesday after a Covid situation review meeting. Those found without a mask in Delhi will now have to pay a fine of ?500.

Uttar Pradesh: Following a surge in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh ordered its NCR (near capital region) districts to reimpose the mask mandate. Wearing masks has been made compulsory again in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat as well as the capital city of Lucknow. The UP government removed the mask mandate on April 1.

BCCL

Haryana: Mask mandate is back Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat and Jhajjar, which are witnessing a sharp rise in cases.

Punjab: Owing to the rising cases, Punjab has also made masks mandatory.

Telangana: Even though the state had removed the compulsory use of masks earlier this month. As the cases started rising again, the rule has been brought back. A ?1000 fine would be imposed on someone who is found without a mask.

Tamil Nadu: The state government on Friday made wearing masks compulsory. A ?500 fine will be imposed otherwise.

BCCL

Andhra Pradesh: A ?100 penalty will be imposed in case someone is found without a mask.

Other states that have also brought back the mask mandate include West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Kerala. Reopening of schools, increased social activities and gatherings and laxity in rules amid low Covid numbers can be attributed to the spike in cases, reports say.