While the Karnataka government is announcing relaxations of restrictions in certain regions, it is also looking at containing the increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the state when the lockdown is lifted. The government has asked people to mandatorily wear masks in public places.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the civic body of the city, released an order to fine all those who step out in the public without wearing a mask that has now become the basic precautionary measure. The fine applies to those who refuse to wear a mask, those who spit in public, and those who don’t segregate medical waste in the city. The district of Bengaluru Urban has been classified as a red zone beside two other districts of Mysuru and Bengaluru Rural. An official confirmed the same,
“As Bengaluru is considered a red zone, order by the commissioner that made it compulsory wearing of facial masks in public places, workspaces, proper disposal of such masks, ban on spitting, urinating and littering.”
The order put out by the Commissioner of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike reads that,
“Wearing of Facial Mask to cover mouth and nose is compulsory in public places and in any working space, facial masks and gloves used by any of the Households and Commercial Establishments should be properly handed over to Waste Collectors in covers or closed bags as part of Sanitary waste. Spitting, urinating, littering and any kind of related public nuisance is banned and will be considered as a public offense.”
Up to 2000 rupees fine
The order mentions that a total of 138 positive cases have been confirmed in the jurisdiction of the Bruhan Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) as of 30th April and assured that BBMP will take appropriate action by enforcing precautionary guidelines. The BBMP, in its order, reiterated that maintaining social distance, wearing a facial mask, segregated waste disposal, and proper sanitation can help the administration to prevent the outbreak.
The order also mentions that stepping out for the first time without mask amounts to a fine of Rs.1000 and a penalty of Rs.2000 for second-time offenders. In addition to this, the police are empowered to book nuisance-makers under section 188 – Disobedience to order duly promulgated by the public servant. 269 – Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life, 270 – malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.
Source: The News Minute
