Tumakuru slaps mask fines, but BBMP dithers

Nithya Mandyam / TNN / Apr 29, 2020, 11:09 IST

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Citizens in Tumakuru, which has seen only one Covid-19 case so far, are being fined Rs 100 for not covering their face or wearing a mask in public spaces. Repeat offenders may have to spend a day in the lockup. In the past four days, the municipal corporation has fined 22 people for the infraction.

Tumakuru slaps mask fines, but BBMP dithers

As coronavirus spreads across India, it's time to mask up and stay safe (Image courtesy: maskindia.com)

BENGALURU: Citizens in Tumakuru, which has seen only one Covid-19 case so far, are being fined Rs 100 for not covering their face or wearing a mask in public spaces. Repeat offenders may have to spend a day in the lockup. In the past four days, the municipal corporation has fined 22 people for the infraction.
But civic officials in Bengaluru, where the incidence of Covid-19 has been far greater with 131 cases, have no plans of implementing such a measure as they “don’t want to trigger panic” among residents.

Tumakuru city didn’t see a single coronavirus infection until last week. On April 24, a 32-yearold resident, who had returned from Surat, Gujarat, tested positive. PH Colony, where the person stayed, has since been sealed. Sira, a town in Tumakuru district, has reported two coronavirus cases, including a death.

Civic officials in Tumakuru city introduced the mask rule on April 24 itself. “They were making rounds and re questing people to wear masks but their pleas were not being heeded. So, we resorted to this,” said mayor Fareeda Begum. “Repeat offenders will be sent to jail for a day.” Authorities in Hubballi have also introduced a penalty of Rs 200 for not wearing a mask. Repeat offenders must pay Rs 300. “We’ve penalised four people in two days,” said Suresh Itnal, commissioner, Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation.

But Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is yet to announce a similar step even though the tech capital has reported the most coronavirus infections in Karnataka. BBMP chief BH Anil Kumar said though an advisory from the Centre had suggested fines, it was up to municipalities to decide. “It’s not compulsory. We don’t want to create panic,” he said.
Many Bengalureans back fines. “The number of asymptomatic cases is high; we may not know who is carrying the virus. A fine will force people to don masks,” said Whitefield resident Sharath Rao. Malleswaram’s Nalini KM said as the state was relaxing curbs, distancing and masks were important to minimise risks.

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