Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Wednesday said that face mask or covers have to be compulsorily used in government offices and public places in the State.
It is widely accepted that use of face cover/mask, whether homemade or others, help in breaking the transmission chain of COVID-19 and containment of spread of the pandemic, stated a state government release.
“In the National Directives for COVID-19 management issued by Ministry of Home Affairs vide No. 40-3/2020-DM-1(A) dated April 15, 2020, wearing of face mask is compulsory in all public places as well as work places. Accordingly, the face cover/mask will be compulsorily used in Government/PSU offices as well as in public places,” it added.
The Centre on Wednesday made wearing of face cover or masks and the rule of social distancing mandatory in all public places and work places.
Spitting in public places has also been made a punishable offence with a fine under Section 51 (b) of the Disaster Management Act.
“Spitting in public spaces shall be punishable with a fine. There should be a strict ban on sale of liquor, ‘gutka’, tobacco etc, and spitting should be strictly prohibited,” the national directives issued by the ministry said.