Jamshedpur, April 1 -- The district health department on Wednesday took samples for RT- PCR test of those found loitering without masks. Over 100 samples were taken during the drive at Sakchi. The health department started this practice in a novel bid to encourage people to wear masks while moving out.

SDO Nitish Kumar Singh said the drive has been started with a sudden rise in cases. "We want people to follow the protocols. Only the practice of wearing masks and following social distancing norms can prevent us from contracting the infection. Those who do not wear masks shall be subjected to COVID-19 tests."

Meanwhile, the district administration has also increased the mask-checking drive in the city along the helmet checking. A police of...