On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh, India’s commercial capital Mumbai, newly created Union territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were made it obligatory for people to wear face masks whenever they will be out in public places for any essential work. With this a strict warning is also given to all the residents and if someone will break the rule, action will be taken against those. The rule has been imposed in order to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Coronavirus Pandemic: Mask-Wearing Compulsory in Public Places
On the other hand, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued the order on a day that Mumbai has reported 72 more cases and six fatalities due to coronavirus. In addition to that, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has also asked the Indian citizens to wear face masks whenever they are outside their homes, they can even wear simple home-made masks.
If there will be any person who doesn’t follow the rules and didn’t wear a mask when outdoors then he/she are going to be punished with a fine. The rule breaker will even be arrested failing to wear mask and the fine will be also imposed on them or an arrest under section 188 Indian Penal Code for violating a regulation made under the Epidemic Diseases Act.
The circular has been issued by civic chief Praveen Pardeshi where he said in a statement, “Any person moving around in his personal or official vehicle must be wearing masks. No person/ officer will attend any meeting/ gathering, work place without wearing these masks.’’
Also, in Uttar Pradesh, additional chief secretary named Awanish Awasthi have also told a press conference, stating “Wearing of masks has been made compulsory in the state. There can be legal action also for not wearing masks.”
In Jammu and Kashmir, General Administration Department (GAD) issued the orders and said that face masks had been made compulsory for all officers, staff as well as visitors in the civil secretariat as a precautionary measure in order to stop the spread of the COVID-19.
Additional secretary, GAD, Rohit Sharma stated, “Accordingly, all the administrative secretaries are authorised to effect the purchase of masks, so as to provide three (3) reusable masks for each employee of his/her department in the civil secretariat. The expenditure on this account shall be defrayed from the office expenses (OE) head,”
Coming to Ladakh, Leh’s district magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya has also ordered the general public as well as to the government officials to follow the instructions and wear the face masks at public places.
He said in his order, “In case of any violation, penal action under rules shall be taken against the violators. This shall come into force with effect from April 9,”
