During the drives that started from 3 pm on Sunday till evening in the district town , 90 people were fined Tk 11,250.

Mazedur Rahman, deputy commissioner of the district, said the drives were conducted as per the government directives to tackle the possible second wave of Covid-19.

The local administration started the drive last week and it will continue, said Mazedur adding  “The drive will create awareness among people.”

Two executive magistrates—Imran Mahmud Dalim and Ujjal Hossain- conducted the drives at Ilish Chattar and Palbazar areas of the district town.

Thirteen Ansar members and volunteers also  joined the drives.

Govt directives

On November 16, the government asked the administration to strengthen the mobile court operation and enforce laws to ensure the use of masks, also in the capital, to check the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

“We’ve already asked them [admin] to strengthen the mobile court operation or law enforcement further in different places of the capital. Hope, it’ll start within the next two to three days,” said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet issued instructions to take a tougher stance to check the Covid-19 as its infection rate has started increasing slightly, he said.

The directives came as people are largely reluctant about wearing face-masks despite several calls from the government to take precautionary measures in the wake of a fresh surge of the Covid-19 infection rate in many countries across the world during the winter season.

‘No mask no service’

The government in October last introduced ‘No mask no service’ policy in all the government and private offices.

The government has also issued an instruction to all the offices and institutions saying that masks must be used in all institutions, haats, markets, shopping malls, schools, and social and religious gatherings.

PM’s warning

On November 19, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina renewed her warning that the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in the country is imminent and asked all to mask up.

"I request you all to wear masks and follow other safety rules," she said mentioning the growing Covid-19 cases across the world.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a meeting of secretaries of the ruling Awami League. The meeting was held at the central office of AL at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue but the Prime Minister joined it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.

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