Mangaluru corporation to cancel licences of shops if mask, social distancing not maintained

MANGALURU: Even before Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa made it clear that it is not lockdown but mask and social distancing that can prevent the spread of Covid-19, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has launched a massive drive against mask rule violators on Tuesday.
MCC also decided to serve notice to a shop in Car Street and cancel its licence for not following Covid-19 safety guidelines in their business premises.
Teams of the MCC health section conducted raids at various places including prominent business areas like Central Market, Car Street, Lower Car Street and Bunder in the city. The teams have penalised dozens of citizens who ignored the caution against the pandemic. Meanwhile, one of the teams also had to face stiff opposition from people at a shop in Car Street, who were reluctant to wear masks.
Environment engineer Madhu Manohar told TOI that the MCC health section has formed two teams to implement rules pertaining to Covid-19 prevention in the city.
“Teams have penalised more than 20 persons for nor wearing masks. Meanwhile, penalty has been levied from a few shops for not following guidelines related to social distancing. All health inspectors are in the field and they will be continuing the drive every day,” he said.
Meanwhile, few persons at an Ayurveda shop at Car Street found engaged in business at their shop without wearing masks.
“Our officials asked them to pay the penalty for not wearing a mask. However, they questioned the officials and tried to justify that they are not able to breathe properly because of the mask. Hence, we have decided to serve show cause notice and cancel their licence as per rules,” Manohar said.