Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 3: Officials from Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) on Friday July 3, penalised people for not wearing masks in public places.

As per the decision taken to carry out an aggressive drive against people in public places without masks in order to contain the spread of coronavirus, the officials imposed fine of Rs 5,000 on 25 people 3.

In view of the increasing coronavirus cases in the city, rules have been tightened. A meeting headed by the city corporation commissioner had decided to affectively implement the rule relating to imposition of time to make people aware of their responsibilities. In tune with the decision, 25 persons without masks were stopped and Rs 5,000 at the rate of Rs 200 each was collected.

In one case, a youth was reluctant to pay fine for not wearing a mask. After the senior health inspector filed complaint in Kadri police station, the youth was summoned to the police station where the fine was collected.

The officials say that they are implementing the rules to make people aware of their risks and responsibilities and to alert them to the need to discharge their duties. In Mulky town panchayat limits too, about Rs 5,000 was collected from people without masks and those who were seen spitting in public places.

It may be recalled, a meeting was conducted under the leadership of city corporation commissioner, Shanadi Ajith Kumar Hegde, on Thursday, July 2. The meeting discussed the need for rigorous implementation of issuing a warning and imposing fines in case of people not wearing masks.

Shanadi had noted that the number of coronavirus positive cases is increasing within the city corporation limits and there is a need for the people to properly be aware of the guidelines and wear masks when in public spaces. He said, "We should make sure that everyone wears masks. Our aim is not to impose fine. But people will realise the seriousness of the rules when fine is imposed when they continue to ignore repeated warnings to wear masks.”  

He said that apart from warning people coming out of their homes without masks, as per the government instructions, a fine of Rs 200 should be imposed. “When this is done, people will be alert, wear masks and follow rules without fail," he told the health department officials. He also wanted the people to be very careful in view of a steep rise in coronavirus cases and always see that the mask is in place even when speaking to others.

Shanadi advised aged people, young children and others not to venture out of their homes unnecessarily and judge the urgency and importance of the need before coming out. He further requested people to strictly follow this to join hands in the fight against the pandemic.