To curb the spread of infection in Mumbai, Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked the authorities to collect a fine of 200 rupees from the people found not wearing masks in public places.

Post-Diwali season, the civic body has further increased inspection drives all across the city. In a release, the BMC said, from April till November 28, it took action against 4.85 lakh citizens for not wearing masks in public places and collected over 10.7 crore rupees as fine from them.

To encourage COVID-19-appropriate behaviour among Mumbaikars, the BMC has also decided to provide 'free' masks to those found without face cover in public. Besides, it will also collect a fine of Rs 200 from them. The BMC said when an offender, after being fined, goes ahead without a face mask, the objective of implementing the COVID-19 prevention protocol remains unfulfilled. Therefore, the citizen concerned will be provided with a free mask and charged a penalty of Rs 200. BMC said relevant penalty receipt will also mention about the free mask.

According to BMC, from April till November 28, the maximum number of 32000 citizens without masks were fined in the K-west ward of the city. It included areas like Juhu and Versova and it has collected Rs 63.39 lakh was collected as fine from them.