Assam’s Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday that it was not necessary to wear face masks to protect against Covid-19.
PUBLISHED ON APRIL 03, 2021 11:35 PM IST
Assam’s Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday that it was not necessary to wear face masks to protect against Covid-19. Sarma’s comments came during an interview with a news outlet.
“The Center can give its directives but in the context of Assam, as today, Covid is almost non-existent. So why this need to create panic among the people? Sarma said.
“When the need to wear masks arises, I will tell people to do it. Today, we have to focus on reviving the economy. If people wear masks, how will hair salons work? They also need to sustain themselves, ”he told the media.
The minister’s statement came at a time when several states in the country are witnessing an increase in Covid-19 cases. Assam, however, has not seen a similar increase in new Covid-19 cases.
Daily Covid-19 cases in Assam had dropped to single digits last month, but in recent days the figure is gradually witnessing an upward trend.
On Saturday, the state reported 68 new cases of Covid-19. Assam has 598 active cases of infection today. So far, the state has recorded 218,601 cases and 1,107 deaths.
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