PANAJI: The state executive committee (SEC) has suggested that people not wearing masks in public places should not be given any service at fuel stations and ration shops. The SEC has said that such a move will ensure the use of masks among the public.
The state government has already made wearing of masks mandatory and even imposed a fine of Rs 100 for failing to do so, but the compliance is low.
An official said, it was decided at SEC’s Wednesday meeting that the state should start a campaign on the lines of ‘No mask – no petrol’ or ‘No mask -no ration’.
The state executive committee, which is the nodal body for Covid management and relief works in the state, has directed secretary civil supplies and department of information and publicity to work out an action plan in this regard, he said.
Some private establishments, including grocery stores and supermarkets, insist that customers not only maintain social distance, but also wear masks, or they won’t be given service.
Police have fined over 1,000 people for not wearing masks since the penalty provision was introduced few days ago.
Besides police, panchayat secretaries and talathis have also been given powers to penalise people if found without masks in public places. It is observed that while people in urban areas have adopted the new way of life, people in villages are yet to come to terms with it.
An official said people in villages hardly wear masks however, they will follow the new rule once panchayat secretaries start penalising them.
The government has been made clear that people are not required to wear 3-layered masks or surgical masks. It would suffice if they cover face and nose with a scarf. Various kinds of handmade masks have come into vogue.
The department of women and child development has engaged self -help groups (SHGs) to make face masks for government staff. It has already bought 19,600 masks from SHGs.
The state government has already made wearing of masks mandatory and even imposed a fine of Rs 100 for failing to do so, but the compliance is low.
An official said, it was decided at SEC’s Wednesday meeting that the state should start a campaign on the lines of ‘No mask – no petrol’ or ‘No mask -no ration’.
The state executive committee, which is the nodal body for Covid management and relief works in the state, has directed secretary civil supplies and department of information and publicity to work out an action plan in this regard, he said.
Some private establishments, including grocery stores and supermarkets, insist that customers not only maintain social distance, but also wear masks, or they won’t be given service.
Police have fined over 1,000 people for not wearing masks since the penalty provision was introduced few days ago.
Besides police, panchayat secretaries and talathis have also been given powers to penalise people if found without masks in public places. It is observed that while people in urban areas have adopted the new way of life, people in villages are yet to come to terms with it.
An official said people in villages hardly wear masks however, they will follow the new rule once panchayat secretaries start penalising them.
The government has been made clear that people are not required to wear 3-layered masks or surgical masks. It would suffice if they cover face and nose with a scarf. Various kinds of handmade masks have come into vogue.
The department of women and child development has engaged self -help groups (SHGs) to make face masks for government staff. It has already bought 19,600 masks from SHGs.
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