Wearing of mask to be compulsory in UP even after lockout lifting
Lucknow, April O4 (HS) Moving ahead of others, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken a number of new decisions to improve the health services and to contain the coronavirus. Ordering for supply of crores of masks, so that no body in the state goes out without them after the lockdown is lifted, is one of them.
There is a speculation in certain quarters that the lockdown will end on April 14.However, the center is yet to take a final call on the matter.
As far as this state is concerned, the government has made it clear that even if it is lifted certain restrictions will continue for some time to come.Wearing of mask outside the house will be one of them.
The poor in UP will be provided a pair of three-layer masks free. Others will have to pay but the price will not be on the higher side.
These Khadi masks will be washable and reusable.So even those who will have to purchase will not have to shell out much. According to one official, the government has asked for supply of 66 crore masks, more than two for each permanent resident of the state.
The population of the state has been estimated at present at 23.5 crores.Thus, only 47 crore masks were required to cover the entire population. Clearly, the government has taken care of even the floating population (migrant workers and others) too.
The purpose, the official explained, is to see that the disease doe not reappear. Complete relaxation may work against the interest of the state and the people .
The government has already set up a fund– ‘UP Covid-Care Fund’ – for improving health services in the state and has appealed to every one including the legislators to contribute.
It has also proposed to manufacture Private Protection Equipment, N-95 masks and ventilators in the state.
The number of positive Corona cases, meanwhile, has crossed 200-mark.New cases are mostly linked to religious Muslim congregation in Delhi last month. All of them have been isolated. There has been no increase in number of deaths. It has remained at two so far.
