On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court order making it mandatory to wear masks while driving alone in car was questioned by terming it as an “absurd”.
The court said that Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) have a relook at its guidelines in view of change in the Covid situation.
The division bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh told a government counsel, “Please take instructions. Why is this order still prevailing? It is absurd actually. You’re sitting in your own car and you must wear a mask?”
The observation came into effect when senior advocate Rahul Mehra who represents the government in a matter. He told the court that despite being a significant drop in the number of Covid-19 cases, people are still wearing masks while being alone.
Initially, the order was issued by the government with a fine of ₹500. Later, it hiked to to ₹2,000 when a single judge bench dismissed a challenge to the order by saying a car is a public place and wearing a mask is compulsory.
Justice Prathiba M Singh said it's possible that person might have visited a market, or workplace, or hospital or a busy street, before entering the car or vehicle. That person is required to keep windows open for ventilation. Also, the person may be exposed to a street-side vendor by rolling-down the window.
