BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister
Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced a 14-day ‘
Mask Abhijan’ to enforce everybody wears masks properly during the next two weeks to check the spread of
Covid infections.
In a video message to the people,
Naveen said anyone coming out of their homes without masks will surely be fined, adding the government has decided to double the fine amount on mask violators.
According to the government rules in effect from August 1 last year, people violating not wearing masks in public places were liable for a fine of Rs 1000 for the first two offences and Rs 5000 from the third. The enforcement agencies are, however, collecting lesser amounts from the violators.
Naveen said if the rule is strictly followed for 14 days, then it will become a habit. Asking people why everyone would suffer because some people violate the rules, Naveen said, “I have directed police and the administration to must fine people going out without masks.”
Stating that the second wave of the pandemic can be controlled without lockdown if we stick to
covid appropriate behaviours, Naveen appealed people to take a pledge to wear masks correctly covering nose and mouth and not hanging it loosely in the neck. “Let’s not venture out without wearing masks. Then only we can defeat corona,” he said.
Naveen asked women to ensure children don’t go out without masks. “While the government is on the guard outside, mothers must keep a watch in homes,” he said.
Reminding people that frequent lockdowns and shutdowns during the first wave of covid infections last year they had to face huge inconveniences while economy and livelihood were badly hit, Naveen said amid the second wave many states have gone back to lockdowns and night curfews, which can be avoided if people stick to covid norms.
Naveen asked those who have taken vaccine also not to become complacent and wear masks. “If you want your livelihood is not hit, you must wear masks,” he said.
“While India is going through the second wave, many countries are facing third wave of the pandemic. Nobody knows, how many more waves of the virus we have to face. Keeping that in mind, we have to make masks part of our lifestyle,” the CM said.