It's now compulsory to wear face masks by all in Telangana. An advisory issued on Friday afternoon says that those stepping outside their home or are in closed spaces and while talking to others should wear a mask.

Terming it 'MaskOn Policy', the government said that it applies to people at all levels in the State. Hitherto, only sick people were supposed to wear masks. Now onwards, everyone will have to.

The government is admittedly influenced by the experience of Japan. "Studies in Japan have shown that MaskOn has slowed the spread of Coronavirus considerably," the advisory mentions.

The MaskOn Policy has been needed because "a large number of infected people are asymptomatic". "In spite of them showing no symptoms, they are still carriers of the infection and can infect others. COVID-19 is a droplet infection, which means that it spreads through droplets. A mask alone can protect individuals," it adds.

It recommends that "homemade cotton double-layered reusable masks are recommended for use as the first line of protection."