No excuse going to help mask-less violators

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 1

From tomorrow onwards, no excuse is going to help those who take Covid-related precautions lightly and do not wear a mask while stepping out of their houses. Now, people have to shell out Rs 1,000 as fine for not following Covid safety norms, as per the new guidelines.

Amritsar reports 1 death, 47 +ve cases

Amritsar: The health authorities reported 47 new positive cases taking the district tally to 13,164. A casualty was also reported taking the Covid-19 death toll to 502 in the district. The deceased was identified as Inderjit Kumar, 58, a resident of Ekta Nagar locality in Chotta Haripura area. Of the 47 patients, 26 were influenza-like illness cases and 21 were the contacts of positive patients. At present, the district has a total of 690 active cases. TNS

No violator fined

• On Tuesday, no violator was fined. Rather, policemen asked people to wear a mask and follow all Covid safety norms
• Many commuters roaming on roads and markets were given masks by policemen

A few days ago, the Punjab Government announced night curfew and doubled the fine from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for violating government guidelines which were issued to contain the spread of the virus that has claimed many lives in the country and in the state. These guidelines were effective from today.

Policemen were on Tuesday seen asking people to wear a mask. They even distributed masks to commuters who were seen roaming without putting on a mask.

Even as there has been a fresh surge in the number of Covid-19 cases with the onset of winter, most people are not following the government instructions. They were seen commuting on roads and in the market without maintaining social distancing and wearing a mask.

Dr Rakesh Sharma, who retired as an orthopaedic surgeon from Government Medical College here, said people did not understand the gravity of the situation prevailing globally. “The second wave of the pandemic during winter could be disastrous if people did not shun their careless attitude,” he said.

In the current times of serious health crisis, wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and proper sanitization are the only ways to fight the virus. As responsible citizens, we should follow the instructions. On the other hand, the government should take strong measures for the implementation of these norms in letter and in spirit.

Police Commissioner Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill said as per the new guidelines, night curfew would be imposed from Tuesday evening. Movement of essential services would only be allowed after 10pm. He said marriage palaces and resorts were also asked to strictly adhere by the new norms. He urged the people to follow the guidelines like maintaining social distance and wearing a mask in public places to avoid contracting the virus.