Fine up to Rs 1 lakh for establishments violating Covid-19 rules: BBMP

BBMP has proposed a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh on hotels, theatres, malls, marriage halls and event organisers who fail to ensure use of masks and social distancing norms.

The new order was issued on Saturday evening, BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad said commercial establishments have an obligation to ensure that people on their premises follow Covid-19 containment rules

He said that the owners will be held responsible for the violation of the said rules, providing a list of penalty under six categories:

Owners of all three-star restaurants and above will be fined Rs 1 lakh,

Rs 50,000 on air-conditioned restaurants, departmental stores, malls, branded shops, cinema halls

Rs 50,000 on organisers of meetings, rallies and other events

Rs 25,000 on non-AC restaurants and shops.

Organisers at any other public place will have to pay Rs 10,000

Smaller hotels and street food sellers will be fined Rs 5,000.

Also, he said, “approved 100 marshals for this purpose. We will also deploy marshals for such events where permission has been sought, like weddings or other public gatherings. Inspections will be intensified at malls and temples, and fines will be imposed on those violating Covid-19 rules”