CHANDIGARH: To further strengthen the management and control of COVID-19, the Punjab Government has enhanced the penalties in case of violation of instructions and guidelines issued to contain the spread of Corona virus. It was disclosed by the Health Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu in the high powered review meeting of Health Department.
Taking cognizance of violation reports about the instructions and guidelines concerning the COVID-19 across the State, Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu pointed out that penalties need to be enhanced and made more stringent to keep the Punjab safe from the claws of pandemic. He said that the Captain Amarinder Singh led Punjab Government is working round the clock to prevent the further spread of this disease and that’s why Punjab became the leading State in the Country in recovery of COVID-19 patients which is around 91 percent.
He said that now Rs. 500 penalty will be imposed for not wearing a mask in public places, Rs. 2, 000 for violating the home quarantine instructions, Rs. 500 for spitting in public places, violating social distancing norms by owners of shops/commercial places: Rs 2000, for violating social distancing by owner of buses: Rs 3000, Cars: Rs.2000 and Auto rickshaws/Two-wheelers: Rs. 500.
The Health Minister further said that not below the post of BDPO, Naib Tehsildar and any official authorized by Deputy Commissioners can impose the penalties under the provisions of Epidemic Disease Act, 1897. He said that non-payment of fine by the violator will attract legal action under section 188 IPC as per regulations framed under the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897.