DISTRICT MAGISTRATE ASKS SDMs/DSPs & SECTOR OFFICERS TO ENSURE STRICT COMPLIANCE OF ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC
*SOLICITS FUSOME SUPPORT & COPPERATION FROM PUBLIC TO KEEP CORONA UNDER CHECK ***NO GATHERING OF MORE THAN 5 PERSONS UNDER SECTION 144 EXCEPT MARRIAGE & BHOG CEREMONIES
HOSHIARPUR / AUGUST 22 / New Super Bharat News
In order to keep the spread of Corona virus under check, the District Magistrate-cum-Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyait on Saturday directed all the Sub Divisional Magistrates, Deputy Superintendents of Police and sector officers to ensure strict compliance of additional restrictions enforced under section 144 of CrPC within municipal limits in Hoshiarpur district till August 31.
Giving instructions for implementing these measures in letter and spirit in larger public interest, Apneet Riyait asked them that there should be no social, political or religious gathering anywhere. She also pointed out that prompt action should be initiated in case of any violation of additional restrictions.
In an appeal to the public,the District Magistrate also urged them to adhere to the guidelines for effective control of spread of coronavirus. Riyait mentioned that under Section 144 all gatherings of more than 5 persons had been prohibited except marriage and bhog ceremonies. She also asked to limit the gatherings at marriage functions as per the directions issued by Government i.e. 30 persons.
The Deputy Commissioner said that it was observed that number of guests often exceed this limit during such functions, which would not be accepted. She also directed the enforcement officers to take action on the organizers of such functions, if found any violation. She said that those, who indulged in endangering others, would not be spared at any cost and penalised as per the law.
Pertinently, on Friday evening the District Magistrate issues a detailed order regarding additional restrictions with total curfew on Saturdays and Sundays in Municipal limits of the district upto August 31, 2020. There will be night curfew between 7 pm and 5 am during which movement of individuals for all the non-essential activities shall remain prohibited within municipal limits throughout the week, she added.
As per the orders, the shops/malls will be open till 6:30 pm from Monday to Friday while on Saturdays and Sundays these establishments will remain closed. Likewise, shops/malls (dealing with essential commodities) will remain open till 6:30 pm throughout the week. Religious places, sports complexes, stadiums, public complexes, restaurants including restaurants/hotels in malls and liquor vends will also remain open till 6:30 pm throughout the week. Hotels will also remain open during all seven days. Only 3 persons including driver to be allowed in a four wheeler vehicle. All buses and public transport vehicles to allow sitting for 50% capacity with no person standing.
The orders also stipulated that there shall be a complete ban on all social, political, religious gathering, protests and demonstration. However, the gatherings relating to marriage and funerals shall be allowed only for 30 persons and 20 persons respectively. Government and private offices shall operate with 50% staff strength till the end of the month i.e. not more than 50% of employees would be permitted on a particular day. The Heads of Offices would restrict public visitors in Government offices and encourage use of on-line Punjab Grievance Redressal System (PGRS) and other on-line tools so as to minimise person to person contact in offices.
Any violation of these guidelines and lockdown measures shall be punishable under sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 besides legal action under section 188 of the IPC.
PERMITTED OTHER ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES:
However, the essential activities and services, movement of persons and goods on National and State Highways, interstate & intra state movement of persons and unloading of cargo and travel of persons to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and aeroplanes will be permitted. Essential services include the services related to health , agricultural and related activities, dairying and fishery activities, banks, ATMs, stock markets, insurance companies, on-line teaching, public utilities, public transport industry in multiple-shifts, construction industry, offices both private and government, media both visual & print etc. Movement of persons and students in the connection with all kinds of examinations, admission/entrance tests conducted by Universities, Service Commissions and other institutions shall be permitted.
