Following the Covid-19 Task Force’s suggestion to make masks compulsory at least in closed places, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Thursday that no such mandate has been approved by the Cabinet.

The Task Force raised the issue on Monday and recommended measures to CM Uddhav Thackeray, who interacted with the administration on Wednesday. The Task Force has predicted a mild wave in June and suggested speeding up vaccination and bringing masks back in halls, auditoriums, malls and hospitals. The CM has decided to write to the Centre to make vaccination mandatory.