Nepal and India’s Lack of Mask Mandates Endangers Citizens

The recent news that Japan has mandated the wearing of full face masks in public places has sparked a conversation about the lack of similar regulations in other countries, such as Nepal and India. In both countries, there is no requirement to wear any type of mask when out in public, despite growing evidence that masks can help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This lack of regulation has been met with frustration from citizens who are concerned for their safety. “It’s just not comfortable to go out without a mask on,” said one Nepali citizen. “I feel like I am putting myself at risk every time I leave my house.” The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that people wear masks in public settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores or pharmacies. However, this recommendation does not carry much weight if there is no legal mandate for people to do so. Public health experts have expressed concern over the lack of action taken by governments in both countries to protect their citizens from further infection. “We know that masks can help reduce transmission rates significantly if everyone wears them properly and consistently,” said Dr. Priya Singh, an epidemiologist based in New Delhi. “But it seems like our governments are more concerned with political posturing than actually taking steps to protect us from this virus.” The consequences of this inaction could be dire for both countries as they continue to battle the pandemic with limited resources and infrastructure already stretched thin by years of neglect and mismanagement by successive governments. With cases continuing to rise across South Asia, it is becoming increasingly clear that stronger measures must be taken if these nations are going to get a handle on the virus before it spirals out of control.