MUMBAI : India's financial capital Mumbai has made it mandatory for all persons to wear masks in public places.

In a circular issued on Wednesday (April 8), the city's Municipal Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi, said,"Anybody violating these instructions will be punishable under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code (48 of 1010)."

Section 188 of Indian Penal Code provides for simple imprisonment extended to one month or with monetary penalty of close to US$3 or both.

If the disobedience causes or trends to cause danger to human life, health or safety, the punishment shall be extended to six months or monetary penalty of up to 13 U.S. dollars, or both.

Mumbai, which has reported 590 cases including 40 deaths so far from the virus, has been under lockdown for over two weeks now and may extend it given the rising number of cases in the city.

"I have come to the conclusion that the larger public interest making wearing of masks by any person moving in any public place is necessary," the commissioner said.

The circular has authorized the police officers to take any actions to penalize such violators stringently and follow the instructions very scrupulously.

 - Xinhua