Omicron fear prompts strict action against Mumbai’s maskless

A clean-up marshal fines a commuter in an auto near Tilak Nagar railway station on September 8. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Amid concerns about Omicron, a new variant of the novel Coronavirus detected in a few nations, the BMC has decided to intensify its crackdown on the maskless. Of late, BMC has been penalising around 5,000 people daily, which is way below the average of 20,000 violators caught in March and April after the second COVID outbreak.

Many people have let their guard down since the city started returning to normalcy and daily cases dropped significantly. Huge crowds have become normal in the city and masks are missing from many faces while several others wear it on their chin. Even the authorities - the BMC and police - were slacking in acting against the violators.

Iqbal Singh Chahal, commissioner, BMC

According to the latest data, while the BMC slaps fines on average 5,000 people daily, police catch 1,000. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the BMC and police have collected over Rs 78.56 crore in fines from over 39.08 lakh violators.

In a review meeting amid the fear of the new variant, BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal took note of the violations of COVID-appropriate behaviour - mandatory masks in public places and physical distance.

"Despite repeated warnings that COVID-19 is not completely eradicated, it is a matter of concern that many citizens are carefree," he noted, adding that the civic body and police should take stern action against the rule-breakers.

The violation of mandatory masking is punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and a fine of Rs 200 is imposed by the clean-up marshals.

Oppn to mask-in-shop rule

A shop owners' association has opposed the state government's Saturday order stating that the establishment will be fined Rs 10,000 if any customer is found without a mask.

"We understand that masks are compulsory in public places, but how can an establishment be held responsible for violations? Action against maskless should not be considered as revenue generation. We strongly oppose such harsh steps," said Viren Shah, president of the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association.