Car is a public place! You can't drive alone without a mask, says High Court
Delhi High Court has ruled that a car is a public place in all states where COVID-19 rules are enforced. Wearing a mask is compulsory.
You probably feel safer and less prone to getting infected with COVID-19 in your car. And you probably do not wear the mask while driving your car alone because who can infect you inside the car, right? Well, it's now illegal not to wear a mask while driving alone. Yes, even in your private car!
As per the latest ruling of the Delhi High Court, it is now compulsory to wear a mask even if the person is driving alone. Honorable Court has now termed any vehicle a "public place" wherever COVID-19 rules are enforced.
Delhi High Court Judge Pratibha M Singh passed the ruling after hearing petitioners who challenged the fines for not wearing a mask while driving alone in their cars. The court said that the pandemic crisis is on the rise and whether a person is vaccinated or not, they should always wear a mask in public places.
Precautions to take while driving during COVID
High Court also observed that when cars stop at traffic signals, many drivers roll down their windows, which can infect anyone.
Among the three petitioners, lawyer Saurabh Sharma approached the Delhi High Court challenging the Rs 500 fine is unfair for drivers who are not wearing masks but driving alone. He was fined by the Delhi Police.
However, during the hearing, the Union Health Ministry told the High Court that there is no law that directs the driver to wear a mask while driving alone. But states have the right to make their own rules and regulations to contain the COVID-19 virus.
The petitioner also pointed out that the Union Health Ministry has said in a press conference that it is not compulsory to wear a mask while driving a vehicle alone.
Delhi Government favored wearing a mask while driving alone in all public or private vehicles. It has also passed an order in April last year to make wearing of masks mandatory in public places.
The court order has come at a time when Delhi had reported 5,100 COVID-19 cases yesterday. The biggest single-day coronavirus figure in 2021. In the last 24 hours, over 1,15,000 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded across India. This has been the worst milestone in the second wave of coronavirus infections.
We at the RTO Vehicle Information app urge all our readers to stay safe. Please wear masks and practice social distancing.
