Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 7: After a section of citizens raised objections on amount fixed as fine for not wearing masks, chief minister B S Yediyurappa has revised it to Rs 250 in urban areas and Rs 100 in rural areas.

Recently the state government had decided to increase the penalty to Rs 1,000 in urban areas for not wearing a mask in public places and Rs 500 in rural areas. The decision was taken after number of Covid cases were surging in the state. The fine was earlier fixed at Rs 200.

Yediyurappa, in a statement has urged the people to voluntarily wear masks, maintain social distance and assist the government in the efforts to break the chain of spread. “Ever since Covid-19 was first reported in Karnataka, the government is doing everything possible to contain it. Since there is no vaccine, it is inevitable to make mandatory wearing of face masks, using hand sanitizer and maintaining social distance," Yeddiyurappa said.

Various medical professionals and public health experts have stated that wearing masks properly, maintaining social distance and regularly washing hands or using sanitisers were instrumental in checking the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

In the early May after the Covid outbreak wearing masks was made mandatory in the city. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued a notification fixing the penalty at Rs 1,000 for the first violation and Rs 2,000 for subsequent violations. However, it was revised and the fine was fixed at Rs 200.