Wearing masks mandatory in Ganderbal, defaulters to be penalized

Mir Showkat
Ganderbal: The administration in Ganderbal on Friday made wearing masks or facial cotton covers mandatory for the people of the central Kashmir district and warned defaulters of fine which would be at least Rs 500 to be paid on the spot.
The deputy commissioner Ganderbal Shafqat Iqbal in an order issued here underlined that it was mandatory to adopt all possible measures and precautions for saving people from exposure to COVID-19.
“Covering mouth and nose at all times helps prevention of transmission of this virus,” he said, adding, “Mouth and nose should be covered by facial masks or any other available piece of cotton cloth which may even include a properly folded or rolled cotton duppata, handkerchief or any such material that acts as a protective cover.”
Subsequently, the Deputy Commissioner ordered that it shall be mandatory for the people in the district to use masks and facial cotton covers, especially in public places and areas.
“Any person found violating the order shall be punished on spot with a fine of not less than Rs500/-(Rupees five hundred only),” the order added.
Ganderbal is one of the two districts, Bandipora being the second, in Kashmir which is not among Red Zone areas.