Nagaland to penalize defaulters of COVID-19 SOPs

November 14, 2020

Kohima, 13 Nov (ANK): In the wake of people not adhering to the COVID-19 SOPs and guidelines, the Nagaland government has authorized various state enforcement agencies to take action against the public for violating the SOPs and guidelines in the state.

The enforcement agencies are District Task Force, Urban local body, Police at the level of ASI and above and Assistant Road Safety and Enforcement Inspector and above.

People 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 will be penalized with 100 rupees, every time the offence is committed.

Shops and business establishments, restaurants and hotels with no Hand washing facility or hand sanitizer, will be penalized with 500 rupees as first offence and warning.

However, offence after one week of 1st Offence will invite sealing of the establishment with or without suspension of registration or license wherever applicable, till facilities are provided.

Buses, Taxis, Auto Rickshaws not adhering to the limit on the number of passengers as per guidelines will invite registration of a case, While, violation or non-compliance of any other clauses or provisions of SOPs or advisories currently in force including but not limited to Quarantine, Isolation, Contact Tracing, Testing which include refusal to undergo testing, breaking quarantine or isolation norm, discrimination or stigmatization of those affected by COVID-19 and others will also be subjected to registration of a case under relevant sections of Disaster Management Act and Nagaland Epidemic Diseases (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020.

Nagaland Disaster Management Authority, Govt, of Nagaland has issued detailed guidelines and SOPs from time to time, which have inter alia focused on voluntary adoption of safety behavior by the public to contain the spread of COVID- 19;

It is observed that wearing of mask, especially in public places, making the provision of hand washing 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;

Therefore, in 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 aboveTransport- 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 warningOffence 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 aboveTransport – 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