Gujarat: AHNA writes to CM, seeks strict penalties against mask violations

“The penalty of Rs 200 is not serving any purpose and the actual cost of implementing the rule is costlier than Rs 200. It has to be enhanced substantially. Enhancing fines have helped in lowering traffic violations. The sample principle applies here,” the letter stated.

AHNA has also requested to ban large gatherings at homes and farmhouses, attributing these to an increased number of coronavirus cases being reported from west Ahmedabad due to the “lax attitude” of residents.

“Western Ahmedabad citizens have become lax and are organising get-togethers without taking any precautions. Unless a ban is imposed, this will continue and the cases will rise. Specifically, the elderly population needs to be protected and the only way to do so is to ban such gatherings,” the association stated.

AHNA has further requested to impose penalties on shopkeepers and tea kiosks, where there are large gatherings and people flout norms of wearing masks.

Additionally, AHNA raised the issue of the severe shortage of Remdesivir.

“Remdesivir is required urgently as it will help save patients on ventilators. It has been informed by sources that the next lot will arrive in the state only on July 10. The shortage is across the state, in both public and private hospitals. As of now, none of the hospitals have any stock and the relatives are subjected to searching for it frantically,” said AHNA president Dr Bharat Gadhavi.