Not wearing a mask in public now illegal: DGHS

Not wearing a mask while in public is now illegal, according to a circular issued by the Directorate General of Health Services this evening.

The "offence" carries a maximum sentence of six months, or Tk 1 lakh fine, or both. 

Violators can be prosecuted under Section 24 of the Communicable Diseases (Prevention, Control and Eradication) Act 2018 for "transmitting a communicable disease", stated the circular signed by Prof Dr Nasima Sultana, additional director-general of the DGHS.

In addition, the person can be prosecuted under Section 25 of the same act, for "ignoring the order of the Director-General and Civil Surgeon". This offence carries a prison sentence of three months and a maximum fine of Tk 50,000.

Other "public health measures" provided by the DGHS must also be maintained, failing to do which will be considered a violation of the law, and punishable by the two sections mentioned above.

While the lockdown has been lifted, a curfew will continue to be imposed between 8:00pm till 6:00am. Movement restrictions will remain in place during the period when only emergencies will be considered exceptions, said the circular.

According to the circular, exceptions include "emergency access to shops, commuting to and from work, buying medication, the provision of healthcare, burying the dead."