Rajasthan’s assembly passed a bill on Monday making it compulsory to wear face masks in public (File)
Jaipur:
The Rajasthan assembly on Monday passed a bill making it compulsory to wear face masks in private or public means of transport and when attending social or political events.
The assembly anticipated the new anti-COVID measure by amending the Rajasthan epidemic law, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot saying that face masks are currently the only anti-COVID vaccine.
The House passed the Rajasthan Outbreak (Amendment) Bill, 2020 by voice vote. The bill also introduced the new provision by seeking to add a new section to section 4 of the Act.
The new clause proposes to ban the movement of anyone in public without properly covering their mouth and nose with a face mask.
The bill’s rationale and purpose read: “Health experts around the world believe mask use can help significantly control the spread of Covid-19 and save millions of lives . “
While responding to debate on the bill in the House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal said the fight against coronavirus infection can only be won with the support of the general public.
While approving the bill, the House rejected a proposed amendment to circulate the bill to solicit public opinion.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said earlier in a tweet that Rajasthan would be the first state in the country to pass a law making it mandatory to wear masks to protect against coronavirus infection.
“Rajasthan will be the first state in the country to pass a law making it compulsory to wear masks to protect against corona, because masks are the vaccine to protect against the crown.”
