Double fine for wearing masks on chin

The government has been conducting drives to ensure that the people are wearing masks in public places. 

But mobile courts conducted by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have found many people without masks, saying they forgot their masks at home, while many others were found wearing their masks on their chins. 

A mobile court magistrate said people wearing masks on their chins were being fined twice as much for deliberately ignoring the government directive, which is aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19.

RAB Executive Magistrate Palash Kumar Basu made the statement after conducting a drive at Jatrabari in the capital from 12pm to 1:30pm on Wednesday, under the supervision of RAB 10, reports Bangla Tribune. 

The mobile court also fined 30 people between Tk200 to Tk500 for not wearing masks. 

In addition, 700-800 masks were distributed among pedestrians, and various suggestions were made to comply with the hygiene rules and increase awareness.

RAB Executive Magistrate Palash said: "The use of masks has increased more than before. Now many have become aware. We are putting more emphasis on creating awareness.”

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He said if people did not comply with the government directive, the drives would be conducted more tightly by increasing the fines.

The RAB executive magistrate said: "Some people are leaving the house without masks on various pretexts. Then you will find a group of people who wear masks on their chins. We are charging people like this with double the normal fine.

"It is not our intention to impose hefty fines only. We want to raise awareness among the general people. So that they don’t spread the virus to others and keep themselves safe as well.”

During the drive, people were seen making various excuses in front of the court to escape the fine.

Md Faruq, who was on his way to the bank, told the mobile court: "Everyone in the bank wears a mask. Why do I need to wear one as well?”

The mobile court fined Faruq Tk300.

Another man named Matiur Rahman has been suffering from cold and fever for three days. Yet he came out without a mask. 

He told the court: “I am using tissues for sneezing and coughing. Trying to stay away from people. But I forgot to wear a mask.”

The government directed the administration to conduct mobile courts to ensure that everyone wears a mask outside their homes during the coronavirus epidemic. 

According to the directive, four mobile courts of RAB are conducting raids in the capital every day.