In the wake of rise in coronavirus cases in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Police have started penalising people for flouting COVID-19 norms.
And, it's not just the virus that the authorities are striving to control, there's an increase in rumours and fake news regarding COVID-19 that is making matter worse. One such fake news doing the rounds on social media claims 'no mask can cost you a fine of 1000 rupees'.
However, Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh on Tuesday clarified that the fine for not wearing a mask is only Rs 200 and not more.
Taking to Twitter, Singh wrote: "Dear Mumbaikars! #FakeNews mongers are back again! This time claiming that No Mask can cost you a fine 1000 rupees. While no money can compensate for safety being compromised, you can only be charged Rupees 200 for not wearing a mask. #MaskIsMust #FakeNewsAlert."
Mumbai Police is now authorised to fine people for not wearing masks in public as mandated under COVID-19 norms.
"Dear Mumbaikars, Mumbai Police is now authorised to issue challans to offenders not wearing a mask too. Every time we fined you for not wearing a helmet or seatbelt it was alway to remind you the value of your life & safety. Same for masks. Please take care. You matter to us," the metropolis' police said in a tweet.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Sunday had collected a total fine of Rs 28 lakhs from around 14,000 people who were caught without face masks in public spaces. As per a statement, the total fine collected was Rs 32,41,14,800 and the total number of persons fined for mask violations was 16,02,536 as of Sunday.
