Covid 19: Facemask rule not relaxed; viral messages are false

News 18 Kerala wrote on Facebook, "No case will be filed if you do not wear a mask in public. Restrictions under the Disaster Prevention Act have been waived. The Center directed the States."

Asianet News wrote, "If you do not wear a mask, you will not be charged."

Below are a few social media posts that claim the same.

FACT CHECK:

On 23 March, the Union Home Secretary said that the National Disaster Management Authority and Ministry of Home Affairs took into consideration the overall improvement of the Covid 19 situation and preparedness of the government to deal with the pandemic and decided that there may not be any further need to income the provisions of the Disaster Management Act for Covid-19 containment measures.

The statement states that after the expiry of the existing Ministry of Home Affairs Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-1 (A) dated 25 February 2022, no further order may be issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare advisories on Covid containment measures including the use of face masks and hand hygiene will continue to guide the overall national response to the pandemic.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare refuted the claim via Twitter and said that the news of the relaxing mask rule and hand hygiene is untrue. It clearly states that the use of facemask and hand hygiene will continue to guide Covid management measures.

Media organizations such as Business Line, Hindustan Times, and LiveMint also stated that the Center has advised all States/UTs to continue with mask-wearing and maintaining hand hygiene.

There is no relaxation in the facemask rule. It is still to be followed.