COVID-19: People show how not to wear a mask in India

1 of 17

This combination of pictures shows the people using masks in different ways to cover their faces from various cities across India. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 17

Indian police are having a field day handing out fines to people who do not wear a mask during the coronavirus pandemic. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 17

Some object but many people just cannot get used to the accessory, which has come to symbolise the new normal, having been made compulsory in most big cities. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 17

New Delhi shared-ride driver Munish Tiwari said he had received two tickets for 500-rupee ($6.50) fines since taxis got back on the road a month ago, which had wiped out a day's earnings. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 17

"It is just not comfortable and I cannot breathe when I have to wear it," Tiwari said. "I have to wear it when there are passengers, but as soon as the door closes and they are gone, normally I take it off. I am easy prey for the police." Image Credit: AFP

6 of 17

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently chided the country's 1.3 billion people for being "careless" about social distancing. Offenders in cities across India tell similar stories to Tiwari's. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 17

India has over 900,000 virus cases and more than 23,700 dead, and experts say the peak is still weeks away. But both rich and poor say they feel awkward or uncomfortable covering up their face. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 17

Masks hanging from people's ears - or not covering their nose - are a familiar sight on the streets. Many wear no mask at all. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 17

Delhi police say they have issued more than 42,000 fines since March - 792 on Sunday alone - to people not wearing masks or flouting other social distancing rules. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 17

Police across India have reaped hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, which range from 200 rupees in Bangalore to 1,000 rupees in Mumbai. Image Credit: AFP

11 of 17

Bangalore police chief Hemant Nimbalkar announced on Twitter last week that his force had collected mask fines worth more than $132,000 in one month. "We are not at all proud of this feat," he said, appealing for greater respect for social distancing as cases surge in the southern city. Image Credit: AFP

12 of 17

In Firozabad, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, offenders escape a fine but have to attend a four-hour class on social distancing and write 500 times "A mask has to be worn". But the message is still hard to get across. Image Credit: AFP

13 of 17

Harish Kumar (above), an artist who sells religious souvenirs outside a Hyderabad temple, said that being overweight already made breathing difficult for him and wearing a mask exacerbated that. "When I am in my shop I take off the mask and when I go out I wear it," he said. Image Credit: AFP

14 of 17

On one Hyderabad street, AFP came across teacher Sunitha Michael (above) with her mask clenched between her teeth. Her excuse was that she had just finished a phone conversation. "Quite frankly, I hate having to wear a mask as it is exhausting, but I have to comply with the guidelines," she said. Image Credit: AFP

15 of 17

A woman smiles while wearing the facemask under her chin during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, in Bangalore. Image Credit: AFP

16 of 17

A rickshaw puller looks on with his facemask dangling by his ear during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, in Kolkata. Image Credit: AFP

17 of 17

A commuter looks on while wearing the facemask over his chin during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, in Bangalore. Image Credit: AFP

Photos News

COVID-19: People show how not to wear a mask in India

More From Photos

Low turnout, apathy in India election a worry for PM Modi’s campaign managers

India: Lookout notice issued against ex-PM's grandson and MP Prajwal Revanna in sexual abuse case

India widens spices crackdown with nationwide checks on all manufacturers

In pictures: Rain, thundershowers across the UAE

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

COVID-19: People show how not to wear a mask in India

More From Photos

Low turnout, apathy in India election a worry for PM Modi’s campaign managers

India: Lookout notice issued against ex-PM's grandson and MP Prajwal Revanna in sexual abuse case

India widens spices crackdown with nationwide checks on all manufacturers

In pictures: Rain, thundershowers across the UAE

GULFNEWS SECTIONS