NEW DELHI: To strictly enforce the Covid norms notified by Delhi government, lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on Saturday empowered health department officials, district magistrates, subdivisional magistrates, officers authorised by them, and Delhi Police officers of the rank of sub-inspector and above to impose fines in case of violations.
Despite the Covid situation in the capital turning serious, some people are still seen roaming in the city without masks and some with their masks hanging below their lips leaving the mouth and nose unprotected. TOI had encountered several people across the city on Friday who were wearing a face mask improperly or, in cases, not wearing one at all.
Even in crowded environments, many Delhiites appeared careless about a simple measure that could prevent possible infection by the novel coronavirus. For them, wearing a mask was a token gesture they seemed to be making to the grave situation, slung as the masks were around their necks like a textile necklace. A few of them were not even taking the trouble of covering their mouth and noses while interacting in close quarters with others. Amid all this, were daily-wage earners who, for financial reasons, were using a single mask over two-three months.
On Saturday, the LG approved regulations called the Delhi Epidemic Diseases, (Management of Covid-19) Regulations, 2020, and empowered the officials to collect penal fines. It will help them enforce the observation of quarantine rules and maintaining of social distancing, among other norms.
“The objective is to make sure that guidelines for containing the spread of Covid are followed strictly in letter and spirit. A fine will be levied for non-observance of quarantine rules, non-maintenance of social distancing, not wearing face mask in public or workplaces, spitting in public places and consumption of paan, gutka, tobacco, etc., in public places,” the LG’s Office stated in a press release.
For breaking any of these norms, Rs 500 will be levied as fine for first offence and a fine of Rs 1,000 will be levied for a repeat offence. “In case any person fails to pay the penalty on the spot, action under Section 188 IPC shall be taken against the offender by the authorised police officer on receipt of a complaint from any authorised officer or on his own,” LG order stated.
On Friday, Delhi reported 2,137 new Covid cases in a single day, taking the total number to 36,824. Of this, 13,398 have recovered till now.
Despite the Covid situation in the capital turning serious, some people are still seen roaming in the city without masks and some with their masks hanging below their lips leaving the mouth and nose unprotected. TOI had encountered several people across the city on Friday who were wearing a face mask improperly or, in cases, not wearing one at all.
Even in crowded environments, many Delhiites appeared careless about a simple measure that could prevent possible infection by the novel coronavirus. For them, wearing a mask was a token gesture they seemed to be making to the grave situation, slung as the masks were around their necks like a textile necklace. A few of them were not even taking the trouble of covering their mouth and noses while interacting in close quarters with others. Amid all this, were daily-wage earners who, for financial reasons, were using a single mask over two-three months.
On Saturday, the LG approved regulations called the Delhi Epidemic Diseases, (Management of Covid-19) Regulations, 2020, and empowered the officials to collect penal fines. It will help them enforce the observation of quarantine rules and maintaining of social distancing, among other norms.
“The objective is to make sure that guidelines for containing the spread of Covid are followed strictly in letter and spirit. A fine will be levied for non-observance of quarantine rules, non-maintenance of social distancing, not wearing face mask in public or workplaces, spitting in public places and consumption of paan, gutka, tobacco, etc., in public places,” the LG’s Office stated in a press release.
For breaking any of these norms, Rs 500 will be levied as fine for first offence and a fine of Rs 1,000 will be levied for a repeat offence. “In case any person fails to pay the penalty on the spot, action under Section 188 IPC shall be taken against the offender by the authorised police officer on receipt of a complaint from any authorised officer or on his own,” LG order stated.
On Friday, Delhi reported 2,137 new Covid cases in a single day, taking the total number to 36,824. Of this, 13,398 have recovered till now.
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