Not Wearing Mask A "Crime", Says Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister As Covid Cases Surge

"Wearing masks and maintaining social distance are not in our habit. Besides these, we have to take other measures also to control the pandemic. So, I am sitting here for a moral request to make these things a part of people's habit," Mr Chouhan said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said not wearing a face mask amounts to crime and appealed to people to follow appropriate "social behaviour" to check the spread of COVID-19. The surge in cases now is due to people lowering their guard, Mr Chouhan said after starting a 24-hour 'sit-in' here to spread the awareness among people about following the COVID-19 prevention guidelines. The Chief Minister launched the "Swasthya Agrah" (health request) at the Minto Hall in Bhopal at 12:30 pm today and during his 24-hour 'sit-in', he will interact with people online and conduct his official work from the venue. "Wearing masks and maintaining social distance are not in our habit. Besides these, we have to take other measures also to control the pandemic. So, I am sitting here for a moral request to make these things a part of people's habit," Mr Chouhan said.