>Anyone creating false alarm to face imprisonment
>Places of worships to remain closed
>Public transport to remain off roads
United News of India
New Delhi, Apr 15: The Centre on Wednesday issued new guidelines for the extended lockdown period making face masks compulsory in public places and workplaces. Spitting in public place will also attract fine.
“Wearing of face cover is compulsory in all public places & work places and Spitting in public place shall be punishable with fine. Strict ban on Sale of liquor, Gutkha, Tobacco and spitting should be strictly prohibited’, the new guidelines read.
As per the fresh guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), all social, political, sports, religious functions, religious places, places of worship shall be closed for public till May 3. Cinema halls, malls, shopping complexes, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, bars will also remain closed till then.
All grocery stores, fruit, vegetables shops or carts, milk booths, poultry, meat and fish shops shall remain open during lockdown and the strict ban of sale of liquor, gutkha and tobacco will remain in force.
The guidelines have been issued by the Union Home Secretary following the extension of the nationwide lockdown announcement by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
Those above the age of 65 and persons with comorbidity and parent of children below the age of five years may be encouraged to work from home.
Punishment for false warning whoever circulate false alarm or warning as to disaster or its severity leading to panic shall on conviction be punishable by imprisonment upto 1 yr or with fine, the MHA guidelines further said.
All kinds of public transport will continue to be suspended during the second phase of the lockdown till May 3, fresh guidelines issued by the government said on Wednesday.
Inter-state, inter-district movement of people, metro, bus services continue will be prohibited till then, the Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines said.
Domestic, international air travel and train services will also remain suspended till this time, it said.
‘The activities prohibited across the country include travel by air, rail and road; operation of educational and training institutions; industrial and commercial activities; hospitality services; all cinema halls, shopping complexes, theatres, etc., all social, political and other events, and opening of all religious places/ places of worship for members of public, including religious congregations,’ the guidelines said.
The nationwide lockdown is aimed to contain the spread of the pandemic that has killed over 370 people and infected over 11,000 in the country.
