Fact Check: UP police not to jail unmasked people, viral message is false
A message is widely being shared on WhatsApp claiming that the UP Police are going to start a 30-day mask checking campaign. Users claim those caught without a mask will be imprisoned for 10 hours.
By Tejal Sinha Published on 11 Jan 2022 11:47 AM GMT
Hyderabad: A message is widely being shared on WhatsApp claiming that the Uttar Pradesh Police are going to start a 30-day mask checking campaign.
Users claim those caught without a mask will be imprisoned for 10 hours.
NewsMeter had received this message on WhatsApp.
"Tomorrow at 9 am, a 30-day campaign of mask checking will be carried out in all the police station areas of Uttar Pradesh. Issued in the public interest by Uttar Pradesh Police," reads the English translation of the Hindi message.
A similar message was also shared on Twitter.
Fact Check
The claim is False.
NewsMeter began its investigation by performing a keyword search which led us to several similar posts on Twitter since February 2021.
On the fact check handle of UP Police, we found a post refuting the viral post on January 08, 2022. Police said no such advisory has been issued, but everyone is definitely advised to wear a mask. Mask enforcement will continue not only for 30 days but till the outbreak of Covid lasts. Legal action will be taken for not wearing a mask. There is no provision for temporary imprisonment.
The team found a report published by Hindustan Times and Navbharat Times on February 26, 2021. The reports had stated that UP Police had refuted the claim and there is no such temporary imprisonment.
It is therefore evident that the viral message is a hoax. Uttar Pradesh Police will not jail people for not wearing masks.
