Pune: The novel coronavirus has created havoc in the country. Cases are increasing by the minute and it is important to be cautious at every step.

In Pune, the number of COVID-19 positive patients has gone up to 18,000. Despite efforts by the government and police officials to ensure preventive measures in public, people have been violating guidelines. People have not been wearing masks or following social distancing. But to implement stricter measures to ensure the following of the guidelines, The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has started collecting fine from people. In the last eight hours, PMC has penalized more than 100 citizens and collected fines of Rs 72,000.

Wearing a mask, no spitting on roads and maintaining social distancing in public and workplaces are the common mandate that needs to follow to avoid the spread of the virus. The PMC has also issued a circular outlining these guidelines. 

The regulation was published by the authorities that the punitive action will be taken against the persons who do not wear a face mask while in a public place.

PMC Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad had warned and implemented a fine of Rs 500 or police action on people failing to comply with the guidelines.   So far, fines of Rs 72,000 have been recovered from 144 citizens on Tuesday.

Municipal Corporations are taking various measures to control the spread of the virus.  Officials have been working relentlessly but meeting with little success as the citizens are not serious about complying with the guidelines.  Therefore, corporations are being forced to take strict actions. 

“Wearing masks in public places, private, government offices have been made compulsory. Also, actions are being taken against those who spit on the streets for the last few days. The administration is appealing to observe the physical distance, apply sanitizer, wash hands frequently on the background of the corona. Our team has taken action against 144 citizens and has collected a fine of Rs 72,000. We are now going to speed up such action. ” said Dnyaneshwar Molak, head of Pune Municipal Corporation's waste management department to Sakal Times.