₹5,000 fine for violating home isolation norms

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Thursday decided to impose a fine of ₹5,000 on Covid-19 patients violating home isolation instructions in the state. There are 951 patients in home isolation across the state at present.

According to the new guidelines announced by chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, a fine of ₹5,000 will also be imposed on 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 attract a penalty amounting to ₹10,000.

The fines were decided at a video conference meeting to review the Covid situation and preparedness in the state, an official release said.

These penalties are in addition to those announced earlier, in May, for not wearing a mask in public places (₹ 500), violation of home quarantine instructions (₹200) and spitting at public places (₹ 500).

Under the existing guidelines, shops/commercial places are liable to pay ₹2,000 for violation of social distancing norms, while for buses and cars such violations are punishable by ₹3,000 and ₹2,000 fine respectively, and in the case of auto-rickshaws or two-wheelers, the fine stands at ₹500. The additional fines have been imposed as instances of violations continue to be reported from across the state, with average daily challans for not wearing masks standing at around 5,000.

APPEAL TO RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS, FARMER PROTESTERS

The chief minister appealed to the heads and managements of religious institutions to ensure enforcement of social distancing restrictions during visits to religious places. Amarinder reiterated his appeal to farmer unions not to come out on the roads in protest against the Centre’s antifarmer ordinances but to defer any such movements to check the spread of Covid.

GUIDELINES FOR FILM, VIDEO SHOOTING

Chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday approved detailed guidelines for shooting of films and music videos in the state during the Unlock-2 period.

As per the guidelines, applications seeking permission for the shooting would have to be submitted to the deputy commissioner in advance, giving full details of the location, number of days and timings for which such permission is required.

The guidelines further stipulate that the duration of shooting should be restricted to minimum possible time and not more than 50 persons should be present.

SOON, PLASMA BANKS IN AMRITSAR, FARIDKOT

Chief secretary Vini Mahajan and health experts were asked to work out the modalities for setting up plasma banks also in government medical colleges in Faridkot and Amritsar.