Coronavirus Pandemic: Amid the worsening Covid-19 situation in India, several states have resorted back to the fining citizens on not wearing masks in public places. The Chandigarh administration on Thursday doubled the fine of not wearing masks in public/workplaces from Rs 500 to Rs 1000. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Union government has taken multiple measures to contain the outbreak of the disease. In the major measures, the government made it mandatory to wear masks in public and workplaces and maintain social distancing.

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According to research, wearing a mask can bring cut down the possibility of getting infected with the Covid-19 virus by 70 percent, and maintain social distancing while wearing a mask can cut it down to 90 per cent.

The Covid-19 protocol guidelines, which are mandated by the Union government are being enforced by the district magistrates throughout the country under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Here is the state-wise list of the fines charged for not wearing a mask-

  • Delhi – Witnessing a surge in the number of cases recently, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal hiked the fine for not wearing a mask from Rs 500 to Rs 2000.


 

  • Maharashtra – Not wearing a mask in Mumbai, may lead to a fine of Rs 200. While in Pune, the fine has been increased to Rs 500, and those spitting in public places will be charged Rs 1000 and Rs 3000 for repeat offenders in a second time, while those will be caught for the third time will have to shell Rs 5000 and five days of community service.


 

  • Karnataka – While it is mandatory to wear masks in the state, the Karnataka government in October, reduced the fine from Rs 1000 to Rs 250 in urban areas and Rs 500 to Rs 100 in rural areas.


 

  • Kerala- The southern state is also known as God’s own country, kept the fine slab at Rs 10000 for not wearing a mask which has been brought down to Rs 500 recently.


 

  • Tamil Nadu – If found without wearing a mask, a fine of Rs 200 will be levied and Rs 500 if found spitting in public places.


 

  • Odisha – The state has set the fine for not wearing a mask at Rs 200 for the first three times, and Rs 500 if found repeating the offense.


 

  • Uttar Pradesh – The Uttar Pradesh government increased the fine for not wearing masks from Rs 100 to Rs 500 in July.


 

  • Haryana – In the area of Municipal Corporation of Gurugram, the fine for not wearing a mask is capped at Rs 2500. While in other regions of the state the fine imposed is Rs 500.


 

  • Rajasthan – Rajasthan became the first state in the country to pass legislation, making it mandatory for people to wear mask in public places, gatherings, and workplaces. A fine between Rs 200 to Rs 500 can be levied if found flouting the rule.


 

  • Gujrat – In the state of Gujrat, non-wearing of the mask can invite a fine from Rs 200 to Rs 500.


 

  • Punjab – The state has recently revised the fine from Rs 200 to Rs 500, while Chandigarh on Thursday, increased the fine for not wearing a mask in public places from Rs 500 to Rs 1000.


 

  • Jharkhand – The state passed the Jharkhand Contagious Disease Ordinance in May, earlier this year according to which, those found not wearing masks or spitting in public places can attract a fine of Rs 1 Lakh or a one-year jail term or both.


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The total number of Covid-19 cases in the country now stands at 9.27 million and in the last 24 hours, the country reported 44,376 cases. Out of the 9.27 million cases, 8.68 have recovered and around 1 lakh 35 thousand people have lost their battle against the coronavirus.