Covid-19 | Decision on mask mandate at public places will be taken depending on case numbers: T.N. Health Minister

A decision on whether the wearing of masks should be made mandatory at public places will be taken depending on the COVID-19 case trend in Tamil Nadu, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said on Monday.

A decision on whether the wearing of masks should be made mandatory at public places will be taken depending on the COVID-19 case trend in Tamil Nadu, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said on Monday.

Shortly after inspecting a drill on COVID-19 preparedness held at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), the Minister, while responding to a question on COVID-19 norms being tightened in public places in some States, said that the tally of daily cases had remained at around 350 in the State, while it has crossed 500 in a number of other States.

“If cases keep rising, we will definitely look into norms related to making masking mandatory, especially in public places,” he told reporters.

COVID-19 cases, he said, were only rising gradually in the State, by nearly 10 to 20 cases a day. If the cases rose like they had in Kerala or Maharashtra, COVID-19 norms, though they continue to be in force, would be implemented in public places as well, he pointed out.

The State had made masking in healthcare facilities compulsory from April 1.

Noting that there was no need to panic, Mr. Subramanian said the fourth wave of infections was expected to be milder than the previous wave, during which fatalities were low.

The Minister also said that the majority of persons testing positive for COVID-19 in the State were under home isolation. Only a very small percentage of persons were hospitalised. No one had required intensive care or oxygen support, he added.