The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ruled that a mask is compulsory even if a person is driving alone in a private vehicle. A car will be taken as a "public place", said the Delhi High Court.
The Delhi HC said that mask acts as a 'suraksha kavach' (safety armour), which would prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Announcing the decision while hearing a case involving fines for not wearing a mask while driving alone, Judge Pratibha M Singh said, "Even if you are alone in the car, why object to wearing a mask? It is for your own safety."
"When a car stops at a traffic signal, a driver often has to roll down their window. The coronavirus is so contagious that even in that time, anyone can be infected," the court said.
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"This was the least anyone could do to be safe against Covid," she added.
The Delhi HC said"Scientists and international governments advise wearing of a mask. The challenge of the pandemic was enormous and the wearing of face masks is necessary whether a person is vaccinated or not."
A single-judge bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh also dismissed all petitions challenging the fines imposed on those people who did not wear masks when they were alone in their cars.
