Mangaluru: Despite repeated warnings from the Deputy Commissioner, MCC Commissioner, and MCC Mayor, people have been going about their normal lives without wearing masks and disregarding the Covid-19 rules and regulations. Following through on its warning to fine people not wearing masks, on Saturday morning, MCC officials, aided by the traffic police, penalised pedestrians and motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, who were found flouting the rules and guidelines.
Even street vendors who were found without masks were fined by the officials.
The drive was conducted under the leadership of Mangaluru City Corporation Health Officer Dr Manjayya Shetty, and other MCC officials in collaboration with the city traffic police.
The development comes after the MCC received several complaints from the public regarding the issue. During the checks, the officials clarified that masks were required to be worn only if two or more people are travelling in the same car.
Speaking to NewsKarnataka.com, an MCC official said that those driving in their vehicles alone need not wear masks. Also, masks are not mandatory for those who are running, jogging or walking.
They added that officials collected around Rs 6,000 in fines from offenders and that the drive will continue over the next few days.
Meanwhile, there have been allegations that people were being fined arbitrarily as there is no clarity on the rule.
An IT employee said that he was fined near the clock tower, while he was driving to his office without wearing a mask. He stated that he was in the car alone and did not wear a mask as he was feeling suffocated while driving with a mask. A college student who was riding her scooter without a mask was also penalised. She was, however, wearing a full-face helmet and questioned how she could wear a mask under a visor.
