TS orders collectors, magistrates to fine people without masks in public places

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has issued orders on Sunday to district collectors and magistrates to impose fine against those who fail to wear a mask in public places, in view of the rising COVID-19 cases.

The wearing of masks has now been made mandatory in all public places, workspaces, and means of transport. Any deviation from the order will attract prosecution under Section 51 to 60 of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Section 188, IPC as well as other applicable laws, the order said. It is further reiterated that failure to wear a mask shall attract a penalty of Rs 1,000.

The order takes powers conferred under the Disaster Management Act 2005, in the capacity as the chairperson of the state executive committee. The directions were issued to all collectors and district magistrates, commissioners , and superintendents of the police in the state to strictly implement the instructions.

Left with vaccine to last only 3 days, TS asks Centre for more

Foreseeing a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine in Telangana in view of the state's plans to ramp up vaccination, the state chief secretary, Somesh Kumar, on 10 April wrote to the Centre requesting for more vaccine.

The state informed the Centre that COVID-19 vaccination has been ramped up in the state and the number of vaccinations on 9 April had crossed 1.15 lakh. In the letter, Mr. Kumar said, "In the coming days this will be enhanced to over two lakh per day. As you (Centre) are aware that Telangana is left with only 5.66 lakh doses of vaccine which would last for three more days maximum. Therefore, the state requests you to urgently provide at least 30 lakh doses of vaccine to Telangana for the next 15 days."

Since last week, the state has ramped up its vaccination drive, administering 1.02 lakh jabs on 8 April, 1.15 lakh on 9 April, and 1.62 lakh jabs on 10 April.

Meanwhile, a four-day long Tika Utsav (vaccine festival) will start from 11 to 14 April following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Chief Ministers to help people eligible for vaccination get immunized during the period.

Telangana is the ninth state to report a shortage of vaccines. The Centre had earlier reiterated that states have enough vaccine doses.

The state has so far administered 20,61,395 doses to health care workers (4,02,766), frontline workers (2,12,526), and people who are 45 years and above (14,46,103).