Pune, April 3: In view of the rise in COVID-19 and Influenza cases in Maharashtra, the Satara district administration has made wearing the mask compulsory for employees and officials working in government and semi-government offices, colleges, and banks.

The order will come into effect immediately. The order was issued by the district collector, Ruchesh Jaivanshi, on Monday who also appealed to residents in the district to use masks and maintain social distancing, and hand hygiene in crowded places such as weekly markets, bus stands, fairs, congregations, and weddings. COVID-19 in India: Masks Mandatory in Haryana for Health Workers, Areas Where Mass Gatherings Expected, Says Health Minister Anil Vij.

In the wake of the spurt in cases of COVID-19 and Influenza, the public health department of Maharashtra has been directed to take precautionary measures, and as per the directions, Jaivanshi has issued the order making the mask mandatory for employees, including officials working with government and semi-government offices, colleges, and banks, as per a note issued by the district administration. COVID-19 in India: Is the Country Seeing Another Coronavirus Wave? Experts Say Surge Is Mild but Cause of Concern.

"The citizens have also been appealed to use masks, maintain social distancing and hygiene at crowded places like weekly markets, bus stands, fairs, congregations, and weddings," the administration said.

Maharashtra on Monday reported 248 fresh coronavirus cases and a single casualty which raised the tally of infections to 81,45,590 and the death toll to 1,48,445, as per the state health department.

A day before, the state had reported 562 COVID-19 cases. Maharashtra's tally of active cases stands at 3,532 active cases, a health official said on Monday.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)