The Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, who is known for his sporadic bizarre remarks, appealed the people of the state to use Jal Gamcha as an alternative to face masks to prevent spread of coronavirus.

In a video shared on his Twitter handle, the CM asked people to carry the ‘Jal Gamcha’ on their shoulders at all times during the nation-wide complete lockdown.

“We all have this ‘Jal Gamcha’ at our homes. Please keep this on your shoulder at all times and use it to wrap your face. It will give you safety. It is not true that people will get infected with coronavirus if they don’t wear masks. Masks are a must for the doctors, health and paramedical staff. Also, it is not possible to provide masks to 40 lakh people in the state,” Deb said in the video.

It's my appeal to every citizen of our State to always keep a Jal Gamcha and use it as a precaution alternative to mask in addition to maintaining social distance against spreading COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/ef2n912Cnq

— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) March 27, 2020

Deb appealed the people to stay indoors to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 that has infected 1071 people across India and claimed 29 lives with two new deaths as on March 30^th, 2020.

Northeast India has reported two positive cases so far – one each in Manipur and Mizoram. Meanwhile, all the state governments of the Northeast region have stepped up preventive measures against the spread of the lethal coronavirus.

Photo credit: @BjpBiplab