A single person driving a car does not have to wear a face mask, the Union health ministry said on Thursday. Replying to question from the media, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, however, clarified that if there is more than one person in the car, then wearing mask is a must to avoid spread of infection.
Similarly, a single person doing out-door exercise/cycling alone also need not wear mask.
"In the last few days, people have gained awareness of the benefits of physical activities. We have seen people are doing cycling and exercise or jogging in groups. It is mandatory for people to wear masks and follow social distancing when they are in a group while exercising or jogging, so that they do not infect each other. If a person is cycling alone, then he does not require to wear a mask as there is no such direction from the health ministry," Bhushan said.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases in India rose to 38,53,407 while the death toll reached 67,376.
However, the country has registered the highest COVID-19 recoveries in a single day, with 68,584 patients being recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours. This has taken the total number of recovered patients to 2,970,492.
According to a statement issued by the health ministry, India's recovery rate has crossed 77 per cent. The number of recovered patients has outpaced the active cases by more than 21.5 lakh, the ministry said.
“The recovered patients have increased to more than 3.6 times the active cases, as on date. The record high recoveries have ensured that the actual caseload of the country viz. the active cases, has reduced and currently comprises only 21.16 per cent of the total positive cases,” the statement said.