Belarus scraps short-lived mask mandates amid virus surge
ABC News
Belarusian authorities have abolished mask mandates, less than two weeks after their introduction for the first time in the pandemic and a day after the country registered a record number of new coronavirus infections
KYIV, Ukraine -- Belarusian authorities on Friday abolished mask mandates, less than two weeks after their introduction for the first time during the pandemic and a day after the country registered a record number of new coronavirus infections.
The decision came after Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko dismissed the measures as unnecessary during a meeting with officials earlier this week.
“It’s just over the top to send police to track down those who aren’t wearing masks,” Lukashenko said. “We aren’t the West.”
The mask mandates were introduced on Oct. 9 amid a new wave of contagion. Belarusians had been required to wear medical masks in all indoor public areas, including public transport and stores.
