Punjab to fine those violating social distancing norms
COVID-19 patients violating home isolation instructions in Punjab will have to shell out Rs 5000 as fine, as per the new guidelines announced on Thursday by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Currently, there are 951 patients in home isolation across the state.
The Chief Minister also announced the imposition of Rs 5000 as fine for owners of restaurants and commercial eating places violating social distancing norms, as a deterrent against defiance of the restrictions put in place to check the spread of the pandemic in the state.
Further, violation of social distancing norms and social gatherings of more than the permitted strength will lead to a penalty amounting to a whopping Rs 10000, the Chief Minister said at a Video Conference meeting to review the COVID situation and preparedness in the state.
The fines/penalties announced today are in addition to those announced earlier, in May, for not wearing a mask in public places (Rs 500), violation of home quarantine instructions (Rs 200), and spitting at public places (Rs 500). Under the existing guidelines, shops/commercial places are liable to pa Rs 2000 for violation of social distancing norms, while for buses and cars such violations are punishable by Rs 3000 and Rs 2000 fine respectively, and in the case of auto-rickshaws/2-wheelers, the fine stands at Rs 500.
The additional fines come even as instances of violations continue to be reported from across the state, with average daily challans for not wearing masks standing at around 5000, as per DGP Dinkar Gupta. Captain Amarinder directly stern steps to ensure strict enforcement of mandatory wearing of masks, as per the guidelines issued by the state government.
Also Read | Punjab CM approves guidelines for shooting of films, music and videos during Unlock 2
The Chief Minister also appealed to the Heads and Managements of various religious institutions to ensure enforcement of social distancing restrictions and other COVID safety guidelines, including masks, during visits to religious places in the state. He urged them to make regular announcements in this regard through Public Address Systems.
-PTC News
