Pune: Pune, the epicentre of coronavirus is inching towards two lakh cases. The ‘corona capital’ of the country is witnessing a huge number of cases. In the span of just two days, nearly five thousand cases are being reported in Pune district.
Despite, a number of warnings from the administration and Pune Police, people are seen venturing without masks around the city. The central government has already stated that the use of facemask is mandatory to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus but still Punekars, who are known for their discipline, can be seen on the roads without masks. From past few days, Pune Police has also intensified actions on those travelling without facemasks and violating lockdown rules.
The state had been under lockdown since March amid the rising COVID-19 cases. Now, the state government has declared a notification regarding Mission Begin Again to end the step-wise lockdown and give some relaxations on the lockdown. Relaxations on the lockdown in the city have led to reopening of many activities. People can be seen in huge crowds at shopping, tea joints, paan shop and other places where the norms of social distancing are flouted.
The Pune administration earlier had decided to impose a fine of Rs 1,000 for those not wearing a face mask and spitting in public places. In order to curtail the spread of the contagion in the district’s rural areas, District Collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh had already taken strict action on those who will venture without a face mask and spit in public places.
Coronavirus cases steadily increase in the city as well as in the urban areas of the Pune district. On Monday, the city (Pune Municipal Corporation) reported 2,053 fresh cases, with 480 patients that are on a ventilator and 912 patients who are critical. This has taken the total case count to 1,07,958. Also, 37 fatalities were witnessed on Monday taking the total to 2,549.
Recently, the officials collected Rs 1.1 crore as fine for spitting and not wearing masks in one month. Dr Rajesh Deshmukh told The Indian Express that they toured 12 tehsils. The district collector also issued an order to direct the police personnel to collect fines under the Epidemic Diseases Act.
