Penalty for not wearing mask to be hiked from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000: Kejriwal

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday stated that the penalty for not carrying masks at public locations in Delhi shall be elevated from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000 within the gentle of the extreme spike in Covid-19 instances within the capital.

“I met the L-G today and briefed him about the Covid-19 situation. We have observed that most people wear masks, but several do not adhere to the rule. It has been decided that the penalty for not wearing masks will be increased from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000. We have agreed that it should create an effective deterrent. I appeal to social, religious and political organisations to distribute masks and urge people to wear masks. Masks are a major saviour against Covid-19,” stated Kejriwal in a video press briefing.

The Lieutenant governor’s workplace has accepted the proposal. A authorities official stated {that a} notification shall be issued quickly.

Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal’s workplace stated in an announcement: “It was considered necessary to enhance the fine for not wearing face masks, from the existing Rs 500 to Rs 2000 with a view to penalise the violators in an exemplary way . The decision was taken as an extraordinary measure in the face of a sudden surge in the Covid-19 cases in Delhi during the last fortnight despite best efforts being put in by various field agencies on all fronts.”

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Delhi, on Thursday, recorded 7,546 new Covid-19 instances and 98 extra deaths, taking the toll to eight,041. With 62,437 checks carried out on Thursday, the positivity fee was recorded at 12.09%%, based on the federal government’s day by day well being bulletin.

The police and the federal government’s income division are the 2 enforcement companies which prosecute people for not carrying masks in public locations.

“We are awaiting the written order. As soon as we receive it, we will start issuing challans for R2,000 rather than R500,” stated a senior Delhi Police officer, who didn’t wish to be recognized.

So far, the police have penalised 498,984 people for not carrying marks and the income division has penalised 249,021 folks, confirmed information maintained by the companies.

Other than not carrying masks, companies can even impose a penalty of Rs 500 for spitting in public areas and violation of social distance norms. The superb for the offences aside from not carrying masks are usually not more likely to be elevated as of now, stated a senior authorities official.

Experts agreed on the significance of masks however supplied combined response to the choice on growing penalty quantity.

Charoo Hans, former head of microbiology division in Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, stated: “There is currently no definite treatment approved for coronavirus infection and vaccines are still under study. Face masks — along with other preventive measures — when worn correctly and by a large percentage of the public can slow the transmission of the disease which is often due to droplets spread by patients who may even be asymptomatic. Hence, action for compliance of mask use is judicious for controlling the high infection rates”.

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Dr Lalit Kant, former head of epidemiology and communicable illnesses division in Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), stated the improved penalty is not going to be simple to implement. “Masks are important in the fight against Covid-19 but such enforcements are easier said than done. For a large number of people, Rs 500 is a high amount too, but people are still violating the rule. The government should now focus on prevention from infections. They should rather create conditions which reduce human interactions in the first place — such as staggered market timings and limiting passengers in public transport.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, nonetheless, criticised the federal government’s choice.

BJP MLA and chief of the opposition within the Delhi meeting Ramvir Singh Bidhuri stated: “It is a wrong move. A poor person will not be able to afford Rs 2,000 and several of them are yet to understand the importance of masks in the fight against Covid-19.”

Delhi Congress chief Chaudhary Anil Kumar stated: “The government should rather focus on awareness, ensuring social distance and free distribution of masks instead of focusing on making people pay in the garb of controlling a health emergency.”