Despite intensified norms, mask compliance nil at many places

Madurai: Though the state government has announced new restrictions in view of the third wave of Covid-19, mask compliance at public places continues to be very poor. District collector

S Aneesh Sekhar

had announced that people not wearing mask at public and crowded places would be fined, but on Thursday many couldn’t care less and were seen without it at Ulavar Sandhais (farmers markets) in the city.``I have taken both my doses of the vaccine, so I don’t think I will be affected,’’ said Rajathi, a vendor in one of the markets. Social activist

V P Manikandan

says the government has to create awareness on the fact that vaccines may not give people the required protection in this wave and that they have to maintain distance and wear mask. Thirupathi, a medical shop owner in

Anna Nagar

, is seen without a mask. He says he has tied a rope in front of his shop which would be enough to protect him and his employees. ``The sale of masks has not increased compared to last month, sometimes people ask for single pieces,’’ he said.Share-autos are public transport vehicles where people are never seen wearing masks. About ten people are packed in them making social distancing impossible. ``It is scary so I have started taking individual Ola taxis,’’ said N Venkadeswari, who used to travel in share autos regularly. Meanwhile, police personnel booked people who were not wearing masks and riding two-wheelers in many parts of the city. In

Ramanathapuram

district, district collector

Shankar Lal Kumawat

asked shops and trading centres to ensure that all workers including owners are fully vaccinated and produce certificates whenever inspections are conducted. He also asked shops to avoid using air-conditioner. District collectors of Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Theni inspected bus stands and markets and distributed masks to people found not wearing them.