by: Navjeevan Express

No mask, it’s fine: Ahmedabad civic body imposes Rs 5,000 fine or 3-year jail

NE NEWS SERVICE

AHMEDABAD, APRIL 12

Stating that Apnu Amdawadis are flouting the lockdown rules which led to the city topping the hotspot list with over 50 percent of pandemic coronavirus cases in Gujarat, the city civic body has made it compulsory for people to wear masks from Monday, failing which they would be fined Rs 5,000 or sentenced to three years in jail, an official said.

The order has been issued under the Epidemic Diseases Act in a bid to contain the spread of the deadly disease, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra said on Sunday.

“From 6 am on Monday, everybody in Ahmedabad city municipal limits will have to wear masks mandatorily when going out in public places. Those found without masks will be fined Rs 5,000. Those who fail to deposit the fine will be jailed for three years,” he said.

People can wear masks available in the market or those made from cloth, or even tie a handkerchief to cover the nose and mouth, he said.

The order will apply to all those venturing out in public places, including hawkers, shopkeepers, and others, Nehra said, adding that he was hopeful of 100 percent compliance with the order.

Ahmedabad reported 19 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, taking the total number of such cases in the city to 266, the highest in Gujarat.

So far, 11 people have died of the disease in the city.