After a steady decline of cases observed over the past couple of months, Tamil Nadu is witnessing an increase in the number of coronavirus cases yet again.

In order to ensure that a second wave of the viral infection does not happen, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan has ordered spot fine of Rs. 200 on anyone found without a mask in the state. The health secretary has reportedly directed conducting of inspection across Chennai and ordered a fine for people who are found not wearing a mask. "There is surging Covid cases and people should not take it lightly. You can see the increase in cases in Maharashtra and Kerala and if people behaves like this, there will be a major increase in Tamil Nadu also which will turn difficult for the state and hence these measures," the health secretary was quoted as saying.

So far, the administration has collected a total fine of Rs. 13 crores from over 14 lakh people for not abiding by the protocols. Tamil Nadu, which is now seeing a surge in the number of new Covid-19 cases, has registered more than 500 cases on March 9, taking the total tally to over 8,55,700. 12,521 people have succumbed to the viral infection.