No essentials for people without masks in UP's Balrampur

If one goes to a pharmacy or grocery store in Balrampur without wearing a mask, the person has to return home empty-handed. The new dictum of the district administration is that ‘no mask, no provision’.

As part of the measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the administration has directed shopkeepers in the district not to sell anything to customers who turn up without wearing a mask.

“Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, social distancing is being strictly implemented in the district. We have directed pharmacies, grocery stores, petrol pumps, gas agencies and seed stores not to sell any item to people who come without wearing a face mask,” said Superintendent of Police Devranjan Verma.

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Violation of this order will invite stringent action against shopkeepers, he said, adding that 11 persons have been arrested in various parts of the city for not wearing masks. “We sanitised the hands of the arrested persons and made them wear masks. We have also held an awareness campaign in this regard,” he said.

So far, 558 confirmed cases have been reported in Uttar Pradesh. The state has witnessed five deaths due to COVID-19 and 49 persons have been cured.

(With inputs from agencies)