Maharashtra: 189 caught without masks in Palghar in 2 days

The Palghar districtadministration has caught 189 people in the last two days fornot wearing masks and collected more than Rs 36,000 as finefrom them, officials said on Monday.

In the wake of a spike in coronavirus cases inMaharashtra, Palghar Collector Manik Gursal and otherofficials inspected 66 public places over the last two days, arelease from the district administration said.

Three marriage halls were among the places inspectedby the district administration and action was taken againstthose who violated COVID-19 prevention norms, it said.

''Action was also taken against 189 people who werefound without masks and a fine of Rs 36,150 was collected fromthem,'' the release said.

Besides, a fine of Rs 6,600 was collected from threeother public places for violation of COVID-19 norms, it said.

Offences were registered against those who organisedmarriage functions where more than 50 people were present. Noarrest has been made so far, the release said.

Palghar district has so far reported a total of 45,697COVID-19 cases and 1,202 deaths due to the disease, anofficial from the district administration said.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said in viewof the rising COVID-19 cases, religious, social and politicalgatherings will be prohibited in the state from Monday.

Asking people to follow ''COVID-appropriate'' behaviourand safety norms, he said he would observe for a week to 15days and then decide whether to impose another lockdown.