AP Photos: Indian mandate means masks are all over the place
ABC News
NEW DELHI -- It’s mandatory to wear a mask in India. And police are out on the streets, watching people to make sure they are in place.
People caught without wearing a mask are fined. Some local governments, like the one in the capital New Delhi, have recruited new staff to ensure the rules are followed.
But the scrutiny doesn’t extend to the type of mask that is worn, nor the safety criteria. Some people wear N95 masks, which is considered the best protection against the coronavirus, and some wear surgical masks. But more common are cloth masks — which are less effective against the ultra-contagious omicron variant. They're made of different fabrics — cotton, silk, even porous muslin.
Atul Teron, 52, said he can’t buy a mask in his village and that he’d rather tie a scarf around his face. “My traditional scarf gives more protection than the other masks,” he said.
