The East Singhbhum district administration launched a massive mask-checking drive on Monday amid apprehensions of a second wave of coronavirus infections post the festival season.

Led by an executive magistrate, policemen were on the job at various points at Sakchi, Bistupur and other places. Though Covid-19 cases have come down significantly in East Singhbhum, the district administration does not want to take chances.

Checkpoints have been set-up in as many as 10 places at Sakchi, Bistupur, Golmuri, Sonari, Kadma, Jugsalai, Agrico and Parsudih.

The checkpoint on Dobo-Kanderbera Road that connects the newly constructed bridge over river Subernarekha at Sonari was set-up to keep a tab on visitors and residents returning home after Chhath.

On Monday, several people, mostly youngsters who were caught at various checkpoints for not wearing masks, were released with a warning. But, from Tuesday, violators would be fined for not wearing masks as per provisions of the Disaster Management Act.

A team of district officials carries out a surprise check at a shopping centre at Sakchi in Jamshedpur on Sunday evening. Pic by Bhola Prasad

Thermal scanning of passengers also resumed at Tatanagar railway station. The district health department also resumed rapid antigen tests of passengers arriving at Tatanagar railway station from various places especially those who had gone to Bihar during Chhath.

Dhalbhum SDO Nitish Kumar Singh said prevention was the only cure for Covid-19 as of now. “Everyone should wear masks while moving around in public places to prevent transmission of the virus,” he added.

On Sunday evening a team of officials carried out surprise checks at several shopping centres in Sakchi. Many people were caught without masks. Shops that were violating social distancing norms were served show cause notices.