Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SHP)

Bengaluru, Apr 20: In a bid to curb to spread of the coronavirus the All India Petroleum Dealers Association has launched a campaign, 'No Mask, No Fuel'.

The campaign along with preventing the spread the coronavirus infection aims to discourage the movement of vehicles.

Following suit, over 58,000 fuel retail outlets across different states have decided to decline refill for the customers who do not have masks on.

“Retail Outlets across the country have decided not to fill those vehicles whose drivers come to petrol pumps without wearing masks. In the interest of the petrol pump employees, we urge the general public to wear masks when they visit fuel stations for a refill. It will be mandatory,” said Ajay Bansal, president of the AIPDA. Around 84 per cent of the 68,761 fuel outlets across India are registered with the AIPDA.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka State federation Of Petroleum Dealers (KSFPD), Bengaluru, in an address to the press has considered to also take up the health precautionary measure. "Further to the call given by the national federation of All India Petroleum Dealers Association, New Delhi, our federation at Karnataka have decided to support the call of "NO MASK NO FUEL" in all the retail outlets of Karnataka."

Speaking to Daijiworld, president of KSFPD Hosabale S Manjappa gave a brief into the situation. He stated that the rule will be strictly enforced within the coming week and mentioned that majority of the customers have been notified of the rule.

At a question regarding the extent of the new policy of masks to fill fuel, Manjappa hinted at a possibility of enforcing the rule for at least three months more. "It is not very likely that the pandemic will be contained by May 4. Keeping best interests of the public, different state heads of the association via video conferencing are considering to the keep the rule in place beyond the lockdown deadline, i.e. May 4," Manjappa said.

The KSFPD president also pointed out the rural areas were adhering and following the health guidelines amid lockdown than those who belong to semi-urban and urban areas. On the fact of the declining demand for fuel amid lockdown, Manjappa responded saying that regardless of the ban on the movement of vehicles, causing the slump in demand, the fuel stations were required to stay open. The fuel outlets require to cater to the trucks, and other vehicles transporting essential services.

"The chain of the infection has to be severed. People are the ones who can do it unless they follow the required health precautions, the pandemic will continue to strengthen its noose on the world," he said.