In the wake of rising cases of Covid-19 in Chennai, rules have been tightened across the city by authorities who have now made face masks mandatory in public places. The Greater Chennai Corporation made the announcement on Tuesday.

Tamil Nadu has been witnessing a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases over the past few days. While the state recorded a total of 2662 fresh cases of the virus on Tuesday, Chennai alone registered 1060 of those cases. The GCC, which has formed a team of health inspectors in each ward, is set to impose a fine of Rs 500 on violators starting today (July 6), under the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939.

The civic body has also requested people visiting shopping malls, theatres, marriage halls, government and private offices, hospitals, market areas, commercial buildings, and other public places to follow all Covid-19 guidelines, including social distancing, among other things.