Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 15
The April 14 order making strict adherence to mask wearing in public places within Dimapur district has made an impact as there was perceptible increase of people with masks in public transport, market areas and shops.
However, the compliance seems to be dependent on location as well as the possibility of checking by concerned authorities with mask wearing relatively higher in main city areas but a more relaxed attitude in the outskirts.
Boarding a public transport from 4th Mile in the afternoon, The Morung Express randomly counted those without masks on one side of the highway till Burma Camp intersection, and estimated over 250 adults without them either on pavement, shops or public vehicles.
The figure does not include children or people holding mask in their hands or pockets and those sliding their masks under the chin.
The situation was similar in the auto stand at the railway crossing with most people, in and around the vicinity, without masks.
At the busy Hong Kong Market, however, things were bit different. Majority of the customers as well as shopkeepers were seen wearing one, though many were just sliding them over their chin.
Here too, the adherences were more inside the proper market area than the pavement shops, where there were more crowds.
Meanwhile, at the time of assessment, there was apparent lax in implementation of the mask wearing mandate, as no enforcing authority was ‘seen’ - neither on the highway nor in the market areas.
However, it must be noted here that the concerned authorities have ramped up enforcement of observance to standard operating procedures (SOPs) in recent times.
A Dimapur District Administration team lead by SDO (C) along with Dobashis and police on April 14 conducted surprise checking in the stretch from Holy Cross junction to Marwari Patti Dimapur and imposed fines to those without masks.
The team cautioned the shopkeepers to follow all COVID-19 safety protocols and also distributed masks to the public, a DIPR report informed. The impact of the surprise checking was noticeable on the stretch and other markets and shops on Thursday within the city centre.
It must be noted here that the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo on April 14 ordered strict adherence to wearing of masks in all places within Dimapur District.
