Ghaziabad: The Ghaziabad police have collected fines worth Rs 22.8 lakh over mask violations between May 22 and May 28. More than 20,000 challans have been issued during this period.“Covid safety protocols like wearing face mask plays a key role in containing the spread of infection but sadly many could be seen without face masks, therefore, we had invoked Epidemic Diseases Act, 1987,” said Ajay Shankar Pandey, district magistrate.

“As per rule, a fine of Rs 250 fine is being imposed on those who that are found without a mask in public and the fine amount gets doubled if the same person is caught without a mask again. Between May 22 to May 28 we have issued challans to 20,838 people and have collected Rs 22.8 lakh as fine,” added Pandey.

For instance, on Friday, a total of 3,246 people were issued challan for not wearing mask at public a place and Rs 3.46 lakh were collected as the penalty. In Muradnagar area, 301 people were penalised which was followed by 248 in Masuri and 246 in Modinagar. “These areas are primarily rural areas and there is a lack of awareness in such places which explains why the violations are witnessed here the most,” said a police officer.

In terms of lockdown violations in the city, maximum 203 violations each were reported from Indirapuram and Sahibabad on Friday which was followed by Vijay Nagar where 165 people were booked.

“Since the start of the lockdown, every day violations of Covid safety norms were at its peak and that corresponded with number of cases and containment zones,” the officer said, adding, “But with time, we stepped up vigil and now the violations have come down and so have the cases.”

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