Close on the heels of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) has made wearing of face masks mandatory, an exercise to contain the spread of Covid-19, which is once again rearing its ugly head.
In an official order issued by BeMC Commissioner J Sonal on July 18, residents of BeMC area and those visiting the city have been advised to wear face masks appropriately while in public places like places of worships, parks, open air gyms, sports arena and market places.
The owners of shopping malls, shops and store owners have been asked to not to allow any staff or customers without face masks while inside the business premises. They have also been asked to put up signage ‘No Mask No Entry/No Mask No Goods’ at the entrance to make people aware about the rule.
The fuel station owners have also been directed not to sell fuel to customers who are found without face masks or wearing mask inappropriately. They have also been asked to put up signage at appropriate places for public awareness.
Similarly, the government as well as private officers have been asked to make it sure that their employees are wearing face masks appropriately while in the office premises except when they are having food during lunch hours.
At the same time, adherence of proper Covid behaviours like maintaining social distancing, hand hygiene, appropriate coughing/sneezing practice and no sneezing at public places has also to be followed.
The order states that in case of any violation, the violators will attract penal provisions of the Odisha Covid-19 regulations and amendments made from time to time.
Notably Odisha on Tuesday reported 945 fresh daily Covid cases, with Khurda district at the top of the list registering a maximum 371 cases, followed by Sundargarh district recording 103 cases. And Ganjam district, whose part is Berhampur city, recorded four fresh cases.