Even as the Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted from 14 districts in the state from today, the government as well as health experts have cautioned the public at large to continue wearing masks. Interestingly, the decision has come only a few days after the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the US issued new recommendations last week for its citizens to go mask-free in areas that are considered low or medium risk. Health experts explain the implications the CDC recommendation may have in India.

Fresh debate on masking

“The US CDC issued new guidance last week on when Americans should consider wearing masks to protect themselves against Covid-19. Under the new guidance, the public health system is connected real-time to determine the rate of new Covid-19 cases requiring hospitalisation versus percentage of beds occupied in every district, and based on this, areas are marked as low, medium or high-risk zones.