DC Kohima issues directives to curb Covid-19

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 16 (EMN): To curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, the deputy commissioner of Kohima, Thejawelie Gregory, has issued detailed directives reminding the public to adhere to the safety precautions and warned that stern action would be taken against the defaulters.

In a notification, the DC has informed the public to mandatorily continue maintaining strict social distancing in public places and work places.
While wearing of face mask (even homemade) and frequent hand-washing or hand sanitising measures should be practised to avoid further spread of infection, the officer cautioned that anybody found without face mask or with mask without properly covering the nose and mouth would be booked and fined under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

The administration also announced that use of common public toilets would continue to remain prohibited.

Gathering of five or more people at public places would continue to be restricted, while large physical meetings and gatherings are strictly prohibited. Even marriage-related gathering should ensure social distancing and the maximum number of guest allowed should not exceed more than 50 people, it informed. It also reminded that funeral or last rites-related gatherings should ensure social distancing with a maximum number of people not exceeding 20.

Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years have been advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements, services and for health purposes.

Meanwhile, the DC has asked all shops, market places and work places to provide hand-wash and sanitisers, preferably with touch-free mechanism, which should be made available at all entry and exit points and common areas.

The DC has also restricted selling of paan, gutka, tobacco etc. and consumption of the same in public places. He reiterated that spitting in public places is a punishable offense and any offender found would be booked and fined under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

The DC further reminded that all other relaxations and prohibitions, which have been specified by the office in previous orders, would remain in effect till further orders.

He warned that failure to comply with the order would invite strict penal actions as per the provision of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and other provisions wherever applicable.