Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Government has increased the amount of penalty to Rs 500 for not wearing a face mask. On Friday, an official stated that to ensure strict implementation of the guidelines of Covid-19, the Government took this move.

Also, an order to this effect has been issued by the state health and family welfare department to contain the spread of the infection. “According to the order, now a penalty of Rs 500 will be imposed if anyone is found not wearing a mask or face cover in public places. Earlier, the penalty was Rs 100 for the violation”.

The people have been appealed by the State Government to strictly follow the guidelines of Covid-19. The guidelines include social distancing and washing hands, apart from the use of masks. The number of Covid cases in Chattisgarh is increasing at an alarming rate.

Due to the sudden spike in the Covid cases, Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed by the administrations in several districts of Chhattisgarh that includes, including Raipur, Durg, Bastar, and Raigarh.

All the religious festivals, sports events, cultural and political programs are banned in Chhattisgarh till further orders. In the state, the active caseload is 13,318.