Covid 19: GHMC makes spitting in public places criminal offence
Alarmed by rising Covid cases, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has made spitting in public places a punishable crime.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 2 April 2021 7:32 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Alarmed by rising Covid cases, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has made spitting in public places a punishable crime.
In the latest circular, GHMC said spitting in public places is punishable with a fine as prescribed by the local authority in accordance with the law, rules and regulations.
GHMC has invoked Disaster Management Act, 2005 to impose new guidelines. Under section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, any violation can attract imprisonment up to two years or a fine, or both. Violation of section 188 of the IPC attracts imprisonment up to six months, a fine up to Rs. 1,000 or both.
GHMC said that wearing a facemask is compulsory in public places, workplaces, and transport systems. NO MASK-NO entry boards have to be displayed outside offices, malls, commercial complexes, and transport systems in the GHMC limits.
GHMC also kept the facility of thermal screening, hand wash, or Sanitizers available at entry and exit points. Frequent sanitization of the workplace, common areas, and all points, which come into human contact such as doors, handles, staircase rods, etc, shall be ensured.
It may be recalled that more than 15 staffers of various wings of the GHMC have tested positive for the virus.
GHMC has advised people to avoid escalators, lifts and use only staircase, and reduce the usage of Air Conditioners and Coolers.
Meanwhile, Telangana reported 965 new COVID cases on Thursday taking the overall tally to 3,09741 in the state. The last time the state reported more than 900 cases were on November 20, 2020 when the state reported 925 cases.
The state reported five new deaths on April 1 taking the total death toll to 1,706. The fatality rate in the state is 0.55 percent which is less than the national average of 1.3 percent.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area on Thursday reported 254 new cases. The neighboring Rangareddy district reported 97 new cases. Medchal Malkajgiri reported 110 and Sangareddy 29 new cases.
Other districts of Telangana are also seeing a surge in cases. Nizamabad on Thursday reported 64 new cases each while Nirmal reported 39 new cases and Jagtiyal 35 cases.
