Mask must even while driving alone, says DCP (Traffic) Dogra

Avneet Kaur
Jalandhar, June 12

Ever since the curfew was lifted in the state, a lot of restrictions were put in place to ensure the safety of residents. One of the most important rules is to wear a mask every time you step out. The failure of doing so will lead to a penalty of Rs 500. However, the rule got many residents wondering if it was applicable when you are driving alone with windows rolled up.

Challans issued so far

Till date, the district police have issued 6,428 challans, including 198 issued on Friday, for not wearing a mask under the ‘Mission Fateh’ initiated by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, thereby imposing a fine of Rs25.59 lakh on the defaulters.

Various social media posts have been making the rounds with residents asking the logic behind wearing a mask when you are alone. Also, the recent incident in Patiala when a woman doctor was issued a challan for not wearing a mask while driving a car, apparently when she was on her way for Covid-19 duty, brought the public and doctors’ fraternity together under one umbrella raising objections over this mandatory rule.

Richa Chadha, a resident of Friends Colony and working as a sales manager in a private firm, said, “I was on my way to the office when a woman constable near BMC Chowk stopped me and issued a challan for not wearing mask. I told her repeatedly that no one is in the car; I am driving alone with windows shut, so on what grounds I am being challaned”.

She said the constable replied her that they had strict instructions from the government to challan everyone for not wearing a mask while venturing out.

“We understand that the government has devised rules for the safety of the public, but these should make some sense. Even doctors have said that it’s not necessary to wear a mask when you are alone,” she added.

Naresh Dogra, DCP (Traffic), while talking to The Tribune, said it was mandatory to wear a mask no matter if you were driving alone or with people at your back seat. “As per a notification issued by the Director of Health Services, those who don’t wear a mask while venturing out will be fined Rs 500. And that’s what the police have been doing. It is for the safety of the residents and they should understand the gravity of the situation”, he added.