Port Blair, Feb 8: In an Order No. 127 issued today, the District Magistrate South Andaman has withdrawn the night curfew in place and also allowed opening up of tourist places and other activities that had been restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Order stated that Night curfew enforced in the entire District of South Andaman is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect with no restrictions on movement of men and materials.

Social/Political/Sports/Entertainment/Academic/Cultural/Religious/Festivals related and other gathering and congregations shall be permitted with strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviours like wearing of mask, social distancing, cough etiquettes etc. Provision of thermal scanning and use of hand wash and sanitizers will be mandatory. The parties concerned and management committee of the Hall/Hotel shall be responsible to ensure strict compliance of the COVID appropriate behaviours and any violations in this regard shall be liable for fine to the tune of Rs.25,000/-.

All religious places/places of worship shall be permitted for public worship with strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviours like wearing of mask, social distancing, cough etiquettes etc.. Provision of thermal scanning and use of hand wash and sanitizers will be mandatory. The Management Committee of the religious places shall be responsible to ensure strict compliance of the COVID appropriate behaviours and any violations in this regard shall be liable for fine to the tune of Rs.25,000/- payable by the Committee.

All Tourists spots in South Andaman District is permitted to open for tourism activities with immediate effect and strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviours like wearing of mask, social distancing, cough etiquettes etc.. Provision of thermal scanning and use of hand wash and sanitizers will be mandatory. Any violations of the above by the operators of the tourism activities shall be liable for fine to the tune of Rs.20,000/-.

All Parks/ Playgrounds/ Stadiums/Gyms and yoga institutes shall be permitted with strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviours like wearing of mask, social distancing, cough etiquettes etc. Any person violating the above directions shall be liable for fine to the tune of Rs.1,000/-, whereas the organisation shall be fined to the tune of Rs.25,000/-.

Academic congregations shall be allowed with strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviours like wearing of mask, social distancing, cough etiquettes etc.  Provision of thermal scanning and use of hand wash and sanitizers will be mandatory. The Owner/Proprietor of the academic institutions/coaching centre shall be responsible to ensure strict compliance of the COVID appropriate behaviours and any violations in this regard shall be liable for fine to the tune of Rs.25,000/-.

Indoor/Outdoor Sports activities shall be allowed with strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviours like wearing of mask, social distancing, cough etiquettes etc. Provision of thermal scanning and use of hand wash and sanitizers will be mandatory. The management of the indoor facility shall be responsible to ensure strict compliance and any violations of the directions shall be liable for fine to the tune of Rs.25,000/-.

Theatres shall be permitted to function with strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviours like wearing of mask, social distancing, cough etiquettes etc. Provision of thermal scanning and use of hand wash and sanitizers will be mandatory. The owner of the theatre shall be liable for fine to the tune of Rs.25,000/- in case of any violations.

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 orders issued by this office from time to time.

This order shall come into immediate effect and shall remain in force till further orders.