It is observed that wearing of a mask, especially in public places, making the provision of handwashing facility by various establishments, maintaining physical distancing in high risk settings, etc. are often not being followed, which poses a serious risk of infection not only to the defaulters but also to other people around them
KRC TIMES Desk
The COVID-19 outbreak in the State has been notified as a “Disaster” on account of it being a serious public health emergency under the “Disaster Management Act, 2005”;
Nagaland Disaster Management Authority has issued detailed guidelines and SOPs from time to time, which has inter alia focused on voluntary adoption of safety behaviour by the public to contain the spread of COVID- 19.
It is observed that wearing of a mask, especially in public places, making the provision of handwashing facility by various establishments, maintaining physical distancing in high risk settings, etc. are often not being followed, which poses a serious risk of infection not only to the defaulters but also to other people around them.
In a Government release, it is stated that, in the exercise of the powers conferred under Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and in view of the guidelines issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005; the following actions shall be taken by the enforcement agencies for violation of the SOPs and guidelines issued from time to time:
| Violation/Offence | Penalty | Enforcement Agency |
| 1. Not wearing mask in public places (including offices, banks, markets and business establishments, restaurants, hotels, public transport, social and religious gatherings or meetings, educational institutions) | Rs. 100 – every time the offence is committed | Police – level of ASI and above Transport- Assistant Road Safety & Enforcement Inspector and above |
| 2. No Hand washing facility/hand sanitizer (Shops and business establishments, restaurants & hotels) | 1st offence: Rs. 500 and warning Offence after 1 week of 1st offence: Sealing of the establishment with or without suspension of registration/license wherever applicable, till facilities are provided | Concerned Urban Local Body |
| 3.Not adhering to the limit on the number of passengers as per guidelines (Bus, Taxi, Auto Rickshaw) | Registration of a case under relevant sections of the National Disaster Management Act 2005 and Nagaland Epidemic Diseases (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 | Police – level of ASI and above Transport – Assistant Road Safety & Enforcement Inspector and above |
| 4.Violation or non-compliance of any other clauses/ provisions of SOPs/ advisories currently in force, including but not limited to Quarantine, Isolation, Contact Tracing, Testing (e.g. refusal to disclose contacts, refusal to undergo testing, breaking quarantine or isolation norm, discrimination or stigmatization of those affected by COVID-19, etc) | Registration of a case under relevant sections of the National Disaster Management Act 2005 and Nagaland Epidemic Diseases (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 | District Task Force |
This shall come into force immediately and shall remain valid till further orders.
