Wearing mask mandatory in cars even if you are alone: Delhi HC

New Delhi : Hearing a petition challenging fines for not wearing masks when driving alone in a car, the Delhi High Court said it is mandatory for all to wear a mask as car is a public place. The mask acts as suraksha kawach for the person wearing it and those around, said the court.

"Even if you are alone in the car, why object to wearing a mask? It is for your own safety," Judge Pratibha M Singh said. "The pandemic crisis has increased. Whether a person is vaccinated or not, they should wear masks."

The least people can do to reduce the number of coronavirus cases is to safeguard themselves with a mask, the judge noted.

She further explained why wearing a mask is necessary while driving alone; the cars often stop at red lights and the drivers may roll down their windows, allowing themselves to come in infections contact. "The coronavirus is so contagious that even in that time, anyone can be infected," it said.

Lawyer Saurabh Sharma is among the three petitioners who approached the court challenging a Rs 500 fine he was forced to pay when he was driving alone without a mask and was stopped by the Delhi Police.

Two more petitions were filed on the same note.

Meanwhile, the national capital registered its highest single-day spike on Wednesday with over 5000 cases in less than 24 hours.