Port Blair, July 6: The District Magistrate, South Andaman in an Order No. 832 issued today has declared that the on-going Lockdown restrictions imposed in South Andaman will continue for another one week starting from 7th July to 13th July 2021. However the DM has announced that the timing of business operations has been extended from the present 6.00 am – 3.00 pm to 6.00 am – 6.00 pm.
In order to place stricter measures of isolation and social distancing in the South Andaman District to control the surge in the cases of COVID-19 and also to prevent any disturbance to the peace and tranquility and taking into consideration the request of the public representatives and general public, Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, District Magistrate, South Andaman District, in exercise of the powers vested in me U/s 144 of Cr.P.C. has ordered the following: -
1.Lockdown to be imposed in the entire District of South Andaman with effect from 07.07.2021.
2.Shops selling essential and non-essential items shall be allowed to open between 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM by observing COVID appropriate behavior. It shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/In-Charge of the shop/business establishment to ensure its compliance and shall be held responsible for any violation and he/she shall be liable to be fined to the tune of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) in addition to sealing of the shop/establishment for a period of 14 days by the Executive Magistrate and shall be liable for action under DM Act.
3.No movement of men and material other than the time fixed for opening of shops between 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM shall be allowed.
4.Movement shall be allowed for emergency cases, medical emergencies, pregnant women and patients availing medical services.
5.Persons engaged for essential activities for movement of goods on Andaman Trunk road, loading and unloading of essential cargo after 06:00 PM shall be allowed on production of valid movement passes issued by the Office of District Magistrate.
6.Travel of persons after 06:00 PM shall be allowed to proceed to their destinations at mainland on production of valid travel documents. However, the person (one person) who intend to pick/drop after 06:00 PM, should apply for e-pass well in advance with supporting documents and the same shall be issued by the Office of District Magistrate on case to case basis.
7.Movement of officers/officials involved in providing essential services such as District Administration, Police, CISF, Health Services, ICMR, PBMC, Electricity, Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire and emergency services, Defence personnel on duty after 06:00 PM shall be permitted on production of valid Identity Cards issued by their concerned departments.
8.Movement of bare minimum number of Officers/Officials, involved in providing services such as Pay & Accounts, Shipping Services, Forest, Banking, Water Supply & Sanitation in Rural Areas, Disaster Management, Port services and related services, Telecommunication shall be allowed after 06:00 PM on production of movement passes already issued by the Office of District Magistrate. The concerned department should also ensure that such officials are called on for duties on alternate days to maintain COVID appropriate behavior at workplaces.
9.Movement of personnel involved in providing Broadcasting, all print and electronic media persons after 06:00 PM shall be allowed on production of valid movement passes issued by the Office of District Magistrate.
10.Movement of bare minimum personnel involved in Private Security Services, Cable Services, Internet Service Providers, POL Outlets, LPG Stores/Godown, ATMs, e-Commerce activities, Cold Storages and Warehouses shall be allowed after 06:00 PM on production of e-passes already issued to such persons by the Office of District Magistrate. It shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/In-Charge of the shop/business establishment to ensure its compliance and also if any person attached with such organisation is found misusing the e-passes or using the same for purposes other than it is meant for, the owner/in-charge shall be held responsible and he/she shall be liable to be fined to the tune of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Only) and shall also be liable for action under DM Act. The concerned organization should also ensure that such officials are called on for duties on alternate days to maintain COVID appropriate behavior at workplaces.
11.All POL outlets shall be opened from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM.
12.Movement of bare minimum private medical personnel such as Doctors, nursing staff, paramedics etc. attached with diagnostic centres and clinics, veterinary clinics shall be allowed after 06:00 PM on production of e-passes already issued to such persons by the Office of District Magistrate.
13.Movement of persons from containment zones shall be strictly restricted and shall only be permitted on case to case basis upon approval from the Office of District Magistrate.
14.Godowns and allied establishments shall be permitted to operate till 06:00 PM for non-business purposes and shall not cater to any customers. Only internal operations, receiving/dispatching of stocks etc. shall be permitted. Establishments violating this provision shall be liable for fine of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only).
15.Port services will continue to operate as usual and both essential and non-essential cargo can be moved in and out of port, as per requirement for loading/unloading/clearing of cargo and the same shall be permitted till 06:00 PM only.
16.Construction activities shall be permitted from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM. Construction activities of national importance and strategic projects beyond 06:00 PM shall be permitted with prior permission of District Magistrate.
17.Movement of persons involved with Hotels/Restaurants and Mess to be certified by the firm/organisation for home delivery of food shall be allowed till 09:00 PM on production of e-passes already issued by the Office of District Magistrate. Dine-in shall be permitted between 06:00 am to 06:00 PM subject to 50% of the seating capacity and strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviors. However, take away/parcel service and home delivery should be encouraged. It shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/In-Charge of the shop/business establishment to ensure its compliance and also if any person attached with such organisation is found misusing the e-passes or using the same for purposes other than it is meant for, the owner/in-charge shall be held responsible and he/she shall be liable to be fined to the tune of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) in addition to sealing of the shop/establishment for a period of 14 days by the Executive Magistrate and shall also be liable for action under DM Act.
18.Public Transport/Buses shall be allowed to ply with maximum 90% seating capacity including Autos, Taxis and Jeeps in partial modification to this Office Order No.566 dt.23rd April 2021. Transportation of cargo shall also be permitted. SOPs in this regard shall be issued by the Transport department, separately.
19.The e-passes issued by the Office of the District Magistrate to individuals for movement after 06:00 PM involved in various activities/services shall be revalidated automatically and such individuals need not apply for fresh e-passes.
20.Sale and service of liquor at licensed premises shall be permitted. SOPs and orders regarding the timings for sale and service of liquor at all licensed establishments (C, C1, B1, B2, B3 and B4 category) shall be issued by the Deputy Commissioner (Excise), South Andaman, separately.
21.e-pass for emergency movement during restricted timings may be submitted online on https://epass.andaman.gov.in. The applicants/organizations submitting applications for e-pass should invariably submit valid and clear supporting documents, failing which the application will be summarily rejected.
Any disobedience of the above orders shall invite penal action u/s 188 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 against the violator(s) and fine shall also be imposed as per Order issued by this office from time to time.
This order shall come into effect from 07th July 2021 and shall remain in force till 13th July 2021.