Bengaluru, March 31 (IANS) Everybody is not required to wear a mask in Karnataka, amidst the COVID-19 contagion, a top official said on Tuesday.

"As a rule, everyone need not wear a mask," said Health and Family Welfare Services Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pandey in a statement.

Pandey listed four categories of people who are required to wear a mask. They include people with symptoms of cold, cough, fever and respiratory problems.

Those people caring for a Covid suspect or patient and health workers attending to patients with respiratory symptoms.

"Those who are treating or handling Covid suspects or patients need to wear N95 mask while others can wear triple layered surgical masks," clarified Pandey.