Pune: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar warns citizens that there may be Rs 1000 fine who are venturing outside without masks.He also directed the administration to appoint an IAS officer as the ‘Testing officer’ to ensure fast and timely testing of suspected Covid-19 patients. Pawar gave the directive while conducting a Covid-19 control review meeting at the Pune Council Hall on Friday, which was attended by senior officials from Pune as well as Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ajoy Mehta, Principal Secretary of Public Health Department Dr Pradeep Kumar Vyas, and Secretary, Medical Education and FDA, Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, among others.
Apart from advising strict implementation of rules in containment zones, such as compulsory use of masks, Pawar also directed the administration to ensure that patients of both Covid-19 and other ailments are treated effectively in hospitals. “We have heard some complaints that doctors are avoiding visits to Covid-19 units inside hospitals. Such doctors will face action,” said Pawar.
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Last month, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had started implementing a rule to impose a fine of Rs 500 on those found without masks in public places. The state government has also issued guidelines to penalise citizens caught without masks, and spitting in public spaces. Pawar also said that with residents of urban areas travelling to rural parts, the infection has spread to interior areas of the state, and it was important to check the travellers at the time of their entry in villages.
“Police should ensure that those who travel to rural areas, from cities with a high patient count, are tested. Local community leaders can help with this. Also, industrial units which have opened now should ensure that workers stay within the premises and don’t travel outside. While working, all the directives to prevent spread of the virus such as use of face masks, sanitisation of hands and social distancing, should be followed,” said Pawar.