Wear masks or pay fine

SURAT: In a bid to make people take the rules and regulation of lockdown and self-preventive measures more effectively, four cities in Gujarat – Surat, Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Vadodara, have made it compulsory for people to wear masks in public places. An issue has been ordered under the Epidemic Diseases Act beginning April 13, those caught without wearing a mask in public places in these cities will be fined Rs 5000. If the offender failed to deposit the fine then they will be booked under IPC sections.

Udit Agarwal, Commissioner, Rajkot Municipal Corporation said, people are allowed to cover their face with readymade or homemade mask, they can also use a handkerchief to cover their face while going in the public areas. The first time offenders will be fined Rs 1,000 and if they violate the rule again they will be fined Rs 5,000. Refusal/denial or fail to pay the penalty will cause strict action under IPC sections.

In Vadodara and Ahmedabad, a notification issued by municipal commissioner’s state that from 6 am on April 13 the rule will come into effect and strict action will be taken against the offenders.

In Surat, the rule was implemented earlier and around 500 people were penalized for not wearing masks in public places. Surat Corporation is also penalizing people who are not following government orders of maintaining social distancing at public places.

Banchhanidhi Pani, Commissioner, Surat Municipal Corporation said, “We have made masks and social distancing mandatory at public places under Epidemic Disease Act-1897. Both are important to stall the spread of COVID-19.”