BBMP marshals impose fine on people breaking Covid rules

By Hameed Ashraf

Bengaluru" Crowds throng Kempegowda Bus Station everyday – children included – but not everyone is vigilant about following Covid protocol. A sizable number of people do wear masks but many leave their noses exposed, which defeats the purpose entirely. “It’s difficult to breathe with the mask on,” complained one bus commuter as he alighted from a bus returning from Chikkamagaluru. “I can’t have it on all the time.”

The government has advised strict precautions, especially in public places, after the announcement of Omicron, a new Covid-19 variant. The BBMP even deployed teams of marshals to keep an eye on the public. However, the marshals, who had been roped in to levy fines on citizens for not wearing masks or maintaining social distancing, were nowhere in sight at the KSRTC bus station.

According to the BBMP, the number of cases registered for violating social distancing norms is 33,200 and a fine of Rs 75.9 lakh has been collected so far since May 2020. The total amount collected in fines for not wearing masks is Rs 13.9 crore, with 5.7 lakh cases registered. Meanwhile, the district administration has planned the stricter implementation of social distancing norms and mask wearing. They will also impose fines on individual and commercial establishments found flouting the norms amid the concerns about new variants.

“The marshals are present here but their numbers have decreased. However, they are penalising those who break the rules,” said a KSRTC official. “I think people fear being fined more than they do the infection!” Those found without a mask in public places will be fined Rs 250.

“People are no longer as concerned as they used to be about following the rules,” said a passenger. “It is only awareness that can get them to follow the correct behaviours.” Even the health workers deployed by authorities to screen those entering the city during and after the second Covid wave are very few.

According to BBMP, the fine collection has come down in the recent months as they rarely find people without masks. “As on Nov 29, there were only 244 cases registered for not wearing masks in Bengaluru, compared to earlier months where the cases touched more than 700,” a BBMP official said.