Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 23: The people of the district, it is generally observed, have not accepted wholeheartedly the need to wear marks in public places and the need to maintain social distance, even though coronavirus infection has been spreading its wings.

With the advent of the festival season, more people have been moving about. Many are wearing masks just as a perfunctory duty. Women wear masks only to cover their mouths, but below noses. These things go to prove that people have not been serious enough or unaware of the need to follow these practices. Only in some commercial establishments, social distance is being strictly enforced.

In temples, often the devotees are seen wearing masks only till the main entrance. Once inside, they remove their masks and offer prayers. Many a time, in spite of repeated requests from the volunteers, they are not ready to heed to them. In the markets, too the situation is not better. People are often seen lowering the masks up to their chins when making purchases and negotiating prices of commodities.

Buses do not follow: Many people sitting at the service bus stand waiting for buses can be seen without masks. Migrant workers can be seen chewing their paan and spitting out the juice on the floor. The number of passengers in buses has gone up on account of festivals and the social distance rule is being sacrificed. Only a few can be seen wearing masks. Most remove their masks once the buses start moving.

Fine: So far, a sum of Rs 13.85 lac by way of a fine has been collected for coronavirus rule violations. In Kaup taluk too violation of rules even by people's representatives and officials at public programmes were visible. In temples, marriage functions, markets, commercial stalls, hotels, buses etc, sanitisers and masks are kept just for the sake of rules but only a few use them.

Deputy commissioner of the district G Jagadeesha said that awareness about the rules has been increasing. He said that in the case of shop owners not wearing masks, their licences are temporarily cancelled. He said that in case of violations in marriages, nodal officers whose names are mentioned will be held responsible.