‘Wear Mask or Go To Jail In Telangana’

In the wake of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases on a daily basis, the Telangana government has made wearing of mask mandatory at all public places, work spaces and public transport. Medical experts say that wearing of mask is an important intervention to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

The surge in cases, termed second wave of Covid-19, is proving highly infectious with more than 500 fresh cases registered in the state in the last 24 hours.

The government also made it clear that there should be no public celebrations or observances during Shab-e-Barat, Holi, Ugadi, Rama Navami, Mahavir Jayanthi, Good Friday and Ramzan. Restrictions have also been imposed on gatherings, rallies and processions for upcoming religious events till April 30.

Restriction has been imposed on sale of liquor in Telangana from 6 pm on Sunday to 6 am on Tuesday, in view of the Holi celebrations.

Chief Secretary of Telangana government Somesh Kumar issued orders to all the collector, district magistrates and commissioners/SPs of various districts in the state to strictly implement the Covid-19 restrictions.

In a bid to discourage people from moving on roads unnecessarily, the state government also said that any deviation from the mask rule would attract prosecution under Sections 51 to 60 of Disaster Management Act 2005 and Section 188 of IPC as well as other applicable laws. Under the provisions of the above laws, a fine of Rs 1,000 and imprisonment for six months would be imposed on those violating the Covid-19 protocols.

The CS also instructed officials to pay special attention on urban areas. In case any Covid-19 case has been detected in malls, theatres or commercial establishments, officials were told to perform Covid test on all the staff there and trace all the contacts.

Telangana public health department director Gadala Srinivasa Rao said that Covid-19 vaccine would be administered to all those aged 45 years and above from Apirl 1. Many private hospitals in the state are administering the vaccine for Rs 150 a dose, he added.