District Magistrate South Andaman Issues New Directives to Contain Spread of COVID-19
Port Blair, July 25: The active COVID-19 cases in the Andaman Islands is all time high with a total of 114 cases as on 25th July 2020. The numbers are expected to increase rapidly if proper measures are not taken by the islanders and the Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
In order to ensure effective compliance of National directives on COVID-19 management and to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the South Andaman District, the District Magistrate (DM), South Andaman has issued the following directives:
Offices/ Workplaces (Both Govt. and Private) to have staggered working hours and should operate at 50% capacity except those providing essential services like Health, ANIIMS, PBMC, APWD, Electricity, Revenue Department, Shipping, Transport, Civil Supplies, Police etc. The DM has directed to encourage ‘work from home’ to the extent possible.
Shops under PBMC jurisdiction should not allow more than 5 persons at a time and big showrooms/ supermarkets/ establishments are to operate with 50% capacity, while ensuring social distancing.
Busses/ Public transport, ships etc. plying in South Andaman District should restrict passengers to 50% capacity without fail. For other modes of transport the following limits have been proposed excluding the driver:
Transport Jeeps/ Sumo – 4 Passengers
Taxi- 3 Passengers
Auto- 2 Passengers
The District Magistrate has also warned persons found violating the measures and said that the violators will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Legal action under Section 188 of IPC and other legal provisions will also be applicable.
The Orders will come in effect from the midnight of 25th July 2020 and will remain in force till further orders.
Fine for violation: The District Magistrate South Andaman in continuation of the order dated 30th June 2020 has prescribed the following penalty:
Overcrowding in shops/ establishments: Rs. 2500/-
Overcrowding in taxi/ auto: Rs. 1000/-
The District Magistrate has authorised the SDM, Executive Magistrate, Revenue Officials of the rank of Patwari and above, Sanitary Inspectors of PBMC, Panchayat Secretaries of the RD Department and Police personnel of the rank of Constable and above to impose and collect fines. However, this does not bar any other legal action that may be attracted due to violation of any other Act/ Law/ Rule in force.