A man helps his son to wear mask at Covid test centre at KSRTC bus stand in Bengaluru. 
National

Mask mandate back in Bengaluru as Covid cases rise

He said the Chief Commissioner has directed all the Marshals to educate people on wearing of masks. They are ensuring masks in public places, including malls.

PTI

BENGALURU: With rising Covid cases in Bengaluru, the civic agency in the city has made masks compulsory in public places and decided to increase the tests for the virus from the existing 16,000 a day to 20,000 a day.

“Everyday, more than 200 new Covid cases are being reported and we are conducting 16,000 tests. Now, the Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath has asked us to increase the tests to 20,000 from 16,000 by the BBMP and 4,000 at the private labs. We will strengthen the information, education, and communication activities,” the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike special commissioner Dr. Harish Kumar told reporters on Monday.

He said the Chief Commissioner has directed all the Marshals to educate people on wearing of masks. They are ensuring masks in public places, including malls.

“From today, we will ask people through Marshals to wear masks at public places,” Kumar added. Since many cases of severe acute respiratory illness and influenza-like illness are coming in private clinics, the chief commissioner has asked BBMP officials to survey in each zone and submit a report, the officer said. He, however, appealed to the people not to panic. The State reported over 300 cases on Sunday and one death due to Covid.

Are you in Chennai? Then click here to get our newspaper at your doorstep!

Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!

Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!

Click here for iOS

Click here for Android

Tiruvallur gas leak: TN govt confirms 2 deaths; many battling for life in ICU, ventilator support

Mekedatu: Then DMK govt hid Mekedatu tribunal proposal, alleges CPM; asks ‘inexperienced’ CM Vijay to learn, repeal

Day 2 of CJP stir: Dipke seeks farmers' backing, asks NEET candidates to join after exam

'Tougher' Physics section trumps many NEET aspirants; lower cut-off expected, they say

All-round Marizanne Kapp powers South Africa to win over India in Women's T20 World Cup