Fine for not wearing mask can be hiked to Tk5,000

The fine for not wearing mask in public places can be hiked to Tk5,000, as the government is going to adopt stricter measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 infections in the country.

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam disclosed the information while briefing the media following a virtual cabinet meeting at the secretariat on Monday afternoon, reports the Daily Prothom Alo.

The issue of wearing mask was raised during the unscheduled discussion. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed the authorities concerned to force people to wear masks.

She stressed the need for public awareness campaigns over wearing of masks, mentioning that no action will be effective if people don't wear facemasks, he said.

The divisional commissioners have informed the meeting that thousands of people were fined on Sunday for not wearing masks in public places.

Mobile courts were conducted in 37spots of the capital city on the day.

A tougher action will be taken after monitoring the situation for one more week, said the cabinet secretary.

Asked about the tougher action, Khandker Anwarul Islam said the fine could be hiked from Tk500/1000 to Tk5,000.

However, the cabinet approved the draft of Bangladesh Film Artists' Welfare Trust Act in the meeting.

The cabinet was briefed about the actionplan and steps taken by the Ministry of Agriculture to tackle the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

The cabinet was also briefed about the foreign aid situation and the activities of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.