Chennai: In a letter to District Collectors, Tamilnadu Chief Secretary K Shanmugam has said that the number of Covid-19 cases would likely spike in October with the opening up of more activities and if no discipline was enforced in public places.
He asked them not to let down their guard or be complacent at any level in controlling the spread of Covid-19 as several restrictions have now been eased.
He said, “with the opening up of more activities like industries, commercial, public transport, temples etc., the disease is expected to spike in October, if no discipline is enforced or observed by the general public in using face masks, maintaining social distancing in public places or failing to observe personal hygiene etc.”
He added: “Hence, the district administration should create public awareness and educate public on the self imposed discipline and accountability in Covid-19 control. The worst time in pandemic management is yet to come.”
Non-compliance of Covid-19 rules like wearing of masks, maintaining physical distance and jumping quarantine will attract fine in Tamilnadu with the government issuing an ordinance to make them compoundable offences. Spitting at public faces will also attract fine.
Governor Banwarilal Purohit promulgated the Tamilnadu Public Health Act, 1939 (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 in order to make violation of the coronavirus induced lockdown and social distancing measures put in place to stop the spread of the deadly disease as a compoundable offence.
“It is, therefore, considered necessary to make the violations against lockdown and social distancing measures taken to contain the spread of Covid-19 as compoundable offences and also to prohibit the acts of violence against the persons implementing these measures,” a Raj Bhavan statement said.
While spitting in public places, violation of quarantine rules and not maintaining physical distance in public will attract a fine of Rs 500 each, people not wearing face masks will have to shell out Rs 200.