767 autorickshaw drivers booked in 2 days for flouting Covid-19 norms as cases surge

Mumbai: As many as 767 autorickshaw drivers were booked on 19 and 20 February for violating Covid-19 precautionary norms such as physical distancing and plying with more than two passengers. Over ₹3,80,000 has been collected in fines from the offenders, said the deputy commissioner of Police of the Thane traffic department.

This comes in the backdrop of the state reporting over 6,000 Covid-19 cases for the last two days. At least 6,281 people tested positive for novel coronavirus in Maharashtra on Saturday. The number was 6,112 on Friday. The total number of active Covid-19 cases in the state stands at 48,439. Mumbai saw a sharp jump in the count with 897 people testing positive in the last 24 hours.

With this, the tally of infected people in the metropolis has reached 3,18,207. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayor Kishori Pednekar on Saturday said that authorities will take strict action against those not following Covid-19 guidelines. “Ward officials with their teams will monitor Covid situation in their areas.

Action will be taken against those not following SOPs,” she said. “Asymptomatic patients will be admitted to quarantine centres.” To curb the virus spread, several districts in Maharashtra have announced lockdowns. While Mumbai’s mayor had earlier stated that a lockdown will not be implemented in the state, BMC had released a new set of stringent guidelines in view of the spike.