If people wear masks, how will beauty parlours run?

BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the people of Assam need not have to wear masks anymore as there is no coronavirus in the state. His statements drew a lot of flak among people as the leader was adamant in believing the existence of the virus, even after witnessing a tragic death toll in the country.

India is reeling under the second wave of Covid-19 and on Saturday, India reported close to 90,000 new Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day count in nearly six months. During the fragile situation, Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that coronavirus has left Assam state and he wonders why one has to wear maks anymore. He also asked to stop creatic panic among his people.

“The Centre can talk about rules and guidelines but here in Assam, Covid-19 does not exist right now. When Covid-19 returns, I will tell the people and ask them to wear a mask,” Biswa said. The interviewer asked why he thinks there is no need to wear a mask despite many cases in the country. The Assam health minister said, “Nahi hai toh nahi hai. Main kya karun?”

He also gave an analogy of beauty parlours as a justification for his point. “If people wear masks, how will beauty parlours run? Beauty parlours must also function. So, I have told people that this is an interim relief,” he said. He added there is also no need to consult experts on the situation. “We have seen Covid-19 very closely for one year. The day we record more than 100 daily cases, we will hold a press conference and ask people to start wearing a mask,” he said.