RANCHI: With many residents disregarding Covid-19 norms by not wearing masks in public, the district administration has decided to appeal to such violators to get themselves tested for the virus if they are found showing symptoms of the disease, besides encouraging them to wear masks.
A decision in this regard was taken by Ranchi DC Chhavi Ranjan after a meeting of the district disaster management cell on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the administration as well as those from the police and health departments, including Ranchi SSP Surendra Kumar Jha, SDO Sameera S and civil surgeon Dr V B Prasad.
Talking to TOI, Ranchi DC Chhavi Ranjan said: “Wearing of masks is not only mandatory but it is also an obligation towards public health. On a few occasions, we have found people not wearing masks in public places. So we have started a program wherein our health workers will ask violators to wear masks and undergo Covid-19 test if they have symptoms of the disease.”
Ranjan added: “One centre each has been set up at the Sainik Market, Zila School campus and the interstate bus terminus in Khadgara. A mobile unit will also camp in different areas to encourage people to follow Covid guidelines.”
The administration has also roped in traffic police to check usage of masks among the commuters and has asked them to penalize the violators under the Motor Vehicles Act. “The traffic police officials have already been briefed in this regard,” Sadar DSP Prabhat Ranjan Barwar said.
As per a statement released by the district administration, the Ranchi traffic police have already issued challans — amounting to Rs 1.65 lakh (as of Thursday evening) — to 330 people for not wearing masks. The exercise was co-ordinated by four traffic police stations across the city. “A total of 330 people were penalised under Section 179 of the MV Act,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Ranchi SDO Sameera S said the district administration will organize mass testing drives on Saturday and Sunday.