Unmasked: Highest mask violations in Telangana are from Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Even as experts across the world are buttressing the need to wear masks, many Hyderabadis appear to be least bothered about covering their faces. As the number of Covid-19 infections in the state breach the 18,000 mark, the city not only contributed the highest number of cases in Telangana, but close to 14,931 people, the highest in the state, were booked for not wearing the mask.
Experts feel that large scale violation of this basic guideline is the reason behind the sharp increase of coronavirus cases in the city.Ramagundam is second in this dubious list with 8,290 cases while Khammam is third with 6,372 violators, taking the total tally in the state to 70,485. Surprisingly, only 2,996 such cases were booked so far in Cyberabad.

While some without masks are being stopped by the police on the roads, many others without this protective cover are tracked through CCTVs by using Artificial Intelligence (AI). E-challans are being issued to them.
However, many, including doctors, believe that the need of the hour is to intensify the enforcement of wearing masks. “Wherever I go, I notice many without masks. If a person is still not tested for Covid-19, he/she should show more responsibility by voluntarily wearing masks. Otherwise an asymptomatic coronavirus positive patient, unknowingly, can spread the virus. The concerned government agencies should definitely intensify the crack down though they might have limitations, considering our population. But the existing enforcement is insignificant,’’ said Dr Sanjeev Singh Yadav, secretary of Indian Medical Association, Telangana.
However, a few police officers said that it is difficult to punish all the violators as the cops are already burdened with various other responsibilities after the outbreak of the pandemic. Moreover, many cops have been already affected by this virus.
“Using technology, we are booking cases wherever it is possible. But we need voluntary cooperation from the public. While a significant number of people are following proper precautions there are many who are quite irresponsible,’’ a senior Telangana police officer told TOI.