Free Masks with Rakhi /Sweets
Chandigarh, July 29
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has
advised owners of sweet shops and other shops in the state to provide free
masks to customers on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
The appeal comes four days after the Chief Minister
had announced that the sweet shops will be allowed to remain open on August 2,
a day before the Raksha Bandhan festival, despite the Sunday lockdown in place
in the state.
DCs have been asked to advise the owners of sweet
shops in their respective districts to give a pair of masks free of cost with
the purchase of sweets in order to promote and popularise the use of masks.
Similar advisories may also be issued to owners of other shops for giving away
free masks on purchase of Rakhis, said the Chief Minister.
An active proponent of the use of the mask to check
the further spread of Coronavirus in the state, where the number of Covid cases
has been steadily increasing over the past couple of weeks, Captain Amarinder
has already warned of increase in the fine amount on violation of mandatory
wearing of mask.
Among the
first states to impose fine on those not wearing the mask when venturing out of
their homes, Punjab is currently imposing a penalty of Rs 500 in every instance
of violation. However, with a large number of violations being reported from
many districts, the Chief Minister has said the amount can be hiked further if
people do not behave responsibly.
The Chief Minister has recently directed the Health
Department to install mask vending machines at bus stands and other strategic
points. In addition, free masks are being distributed to the poor along with
their ration kits.
News Courtsey,
Raveen Thukral
Journalist
Media Face of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh
Dr.Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanank Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi
