Goa: No mask in public? Now, be fined Rs 100

TNN | Updated: Apr 25, 2020, 13:36 IST

As coronavirus spreads across India, it's time to mask up and stay safe (Image courtesy: maskindia.com)

PANAJI: The state government, which made mandatory the wearing of face covers in public places from Monday, has now said that violators will be fined Rs 100. Additionally, those refusing to pay will be liable for action under Section 188, IPC, which involves six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000 or both.
The government has said that face covers, which include masks, are available with chemists, and homemade masks can also be used and re-used after proper washing and disinfecting.

The government order states that face covers must be used in all public places and work places — including streets, hospitals and at working sites.
Soon after TOI launched the #MaskIndia campaign to promote the use of homemade masks in public, PM Narendra Modi and CM Pramod Sawant endorsed it.
Meanwhile, reports of 178 Covid-19 suspects came back negative on Friday. The government is awaiting the results of another 69 reports. On Friday, the government sent 118 fresh samples for testing.
One Covid-19 suspect was placed under hospital isolation at GMC, while 14 have been place at facility quarantine centres.
There are a total of eight patients in GMC’s isolation ward, 13 persons quarantined at Old Goa residency, 34 quarantined at Margao Residency, 17 at Mayem residency and 24 at Mapusa residency.
The six cured patients have completed seven days facility quarantine and have now been placed under home quarantine for the next seven days.
There is only one cured patient under quarantine at Acron Seaway Resort, Candolim.
Also, health minister Vishwajit Rane said that the government intends to complete testing of all seafarers within 24 hours of their arrival. “The health secretary will monitor and ensure that tests are conducted seamlessly and our seafarers are sent home safety,” he said.