To inspire COVID-19-apt behaviour among Mumbaikars, the administration has decided to provide ''free'' masks to those found without face cover in public and also collect a fine of Rs 200 from them.

Over 10.7 crore fine was recovered from Mumbaikars who travelled in public places without masks between April till November. Over 4.85 lakh people were fined, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in a release said on Sunday.

The applicable penalty receipt will also mention about the free mask, it said. To curb the spread of contagion in the post-Diwali season, the administration has increased inspection drives around the city, with the violation of mask rule leading a penalty of Rs 200.

The maximum number of 32,010 people without masks were fined in the K-west ward, which comprises of Juhu and Versova, PTI quoted BMC official as saying. Meanwhile, Rs 63.39 lakh was collected from those who ventured without mask.

Besides sanitisation of hands and maintaining social distance, regular use of mask is mandatory for curtailing the further spread of the novel virus, he added. As per the official data, Mumbai city till Sunday reported a total of 2,82,821 COVID-19 cases and 10,865 deaths amid the contagion.