Srinagar, July 20 (KNS): Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu on Monday authorized all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to take strict measures within their jurisdiction and impose penalties to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), on order issued by Health & Medical Education Department, stated that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (3 of 1897), the LG of the Union Territory of J&K hereby authorizes all the DCs of the UT of J&K to take following measures within their jurisdiction and impose such penalties to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

It states, persons not wearing a mask in public place will be penalized Rs 500 while persons violating the home quarantine instructions will be fined Rs 2000. Similarly order states person spitting at public places will be fined Rs 500, while persons violating social distancing norms by owner of shops/commercial places will have to pay Rs 2000 as penalty.

It also added that for violating the social distance norms by vehicle owners of busses, cars and auto rickshaws/two wheelers will be fined Rs 300, Rs 200 and Rs 500 respectively.

“Non-payment of penalty by the violator will attract proceedings under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860)”, order reads. (KNS)