Rupesh Samanta

Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Mar 31: Goa police has begun an extensive drive to penalize the tourists on the beaches, who roam on the seashore, without wearing their masks thereby violating the COVID-19 prevention Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

The police stations at Pernem, Anjuna and Calangute, which cover the entire North Goa beach belt, have initiated drives to penalize the tourists, who are seen without a mask, a senior official said.

Pernem police inspector Jivba Dalvi said that to date, Pernem police station that covers beaches like Arambol, Morjim and others in extreme North Goa has filed 957 people collecting a fine of Rs 1.86 lac.

He said that his police station had booked 2,600 people without a mask in 2020 collecting a fine of Rs 3.29 lac.

On the other hand, Calangute police station booked 2,000 tourists and locals in the last three months for not wearing masks collecting a fine of Rs four lac.

A senior police official said that the Calangute police has also made announcements at the beaches creating awareness amongst the tourists about social distancing and wearing masks.

The state is witnessing a huge crowd on its shoreline due to extended long weekends.