District Administration Orders Closure of All Shops and Establishments Except Listed Ones From 2nd May
Port Blair, April 30: In view of the recent surge in the positive cases of COVID-19 in the Islands, the South Andaman District Administration has been taking various proactive steps to contain the spread of the virus in the District. The District Administration is closely monitoring the situation and noticed that there is a steep increase in positive cases in the past few days.
In order to place strict measures of isolation and social distancing in the South Andaman District and to prevent any disturbance to the peace and tranquillity, Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, District Magistrate, South Andaman in exercise of the powers vested U/s 144 of Cr. P.C. has ordered that in addition to the existing Night Curfew Order, more restriction will be imposed from 2nd of May 2021.
Accordingly, all shops and establishments will remain shut except the following as per terms and conditions given:
Provision stores, Vegetable shops, shops dealing with food, groceries, fruits, dairy and milk booth/ shop, meat and fish, animal feed/ fodder, bakeries, mechanical workshops shall be permitted.
Only delivery of foods by way of home delivery / take away by restaurants is permitted. Food shall be served to the guests in Hotels and Lodges in their rooms only and guests shall not be permitted to dine in the restaurants attached to the hotels and lodges. Dine in facilities at Restaurants, Hotels, mess shall not be permitted.
Hospitals, medical labs, Chemists/ Pharmaceuticals Stores, Opticals, Medicines and medical equipments, distribution of newspapers, ambulance and hearse vehicle services, medical and its allied activities, all medical emergency cases shall be permitted.
In-situ constructional activities shall be permitted, but no movement of labourers is permitted out of the work site. Contractor/ Manager will be held responsible for any deviation.
The establishments listed above shall strictly follow norms of social distancing by maintaining a distance of atleast one meter from a person and not allowing more than 5 persons at a time inside the premises. The premises shall remain open on all days between 6.00 am to 1.00 pm.
Persons intending to buy essential commodities shall procure the same from the local market nearest to their residence. Unnecessary travel to be avoided in this regard.
Goods transport, vehicles carrying agricultural produce of farmers, Agriculture & its allied activities shall be permitted.
Social/ Political/ Sports / Entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious/ festival related and other gathering and congregations shall be prohibited.
All religious places/ places of worship shall be closed for public worship. Religious congregations/ gatherings are strictly prohibited. Any person/ organisation violating the above directions shall be liable to be fined to the tune of Rs. 10,000/- which shall be payable by the Management Committee.
The operations of the government department shall be on the basis of directions issued by General Administration Department from time to time.
All Government departments shall strictly follow norms of social distancing by maintaining a distance of atleast one meter from a person.
Officers/ officials involved in essential and emergency services such as Health and Family Welfare and all related medical establishments. Police, Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services, Diistrict Administration, Pay & Accounts Office, Shipping Services, Electricity, Water Supply and Sanitation, Public Transport, Disaster Management and related services, all print and electronic media persons, private security services, defence personnel on duty, POL Outlets, LPG Stores/ Godown, Insurance Office and ATMs, Telecommunication, Internet Services, Broadcasting and Cable services, Fishing activities, Cold Storages and ware houses, courts as per orders of High Court and E-commerce activities are permitted on production of valid Identity Card.
All Bank functioning in the District shall only provide essential services to the customers and shall strictly follow norms of social distancing by maintaining a distance of atleast one meter from a person and also maintain a proper queue system and thereby not allowing more than 5 customers at a time inside the premises.
Persons engaged for essential activities, including operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, movement of goods on Andaman Trunk Road, loading and unloading of essential cargo and travel of persons to their destination after disembarking on production of valid travel tickets. Movement of passengers availing boat/ ship services for travel to different islands shall be permitted.
All private medical personnel such as Doctors, Nursing Staff, Paramedical etc. and other hospitals services (such as hospitals, diagnostic centres, clinics, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and other medical and health services) on production of valid Identity Cards. Pregnant women and patients availing medical services are permitted.
The Order has been issued ex-parte and is addressed to the public in view of the emergent circumstances. This order shall be promulgated in the South Andaman District. Any disobedience of the above order shall invite penal action u/s 188 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the relevant provision of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 against the violator (s) and also fines shall also be imposed as per Order No. 580 dated 26th April 2021.
The Order shall come in force in the South Andaman District including the active Containment Zones from 2nd May 2021 and shall be effective till further orders.