Face mask fine doubled, no night curfew in Chandigarh; details inside

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November

Not wearing a mask? Be ready to shell out Rs 1,000.

The UT administration on Thursday increased the penalty for not wearing a face mask from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.

During a COVID-19 review meeting, the UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore directed Deputy Commissioner Mandip Singh Brar to go for stricter punishment for violations of Covid-19 guidelines.

Brar informed, that 27,878 challans had been issued against people who violated COVID-19 protocol.

After detailed discussions, the UT Administration has also decided to open classroom teaching for the students in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector-32, from December 1, 2020.

The Administration also permitted the coaching institutions to open from December 1, subject to strict observance of COVID-19 protocol; both in classes and hostels.     

However, the coaching institutions will be directed to concentrate on online teaching; rather than physical classes.

The Administrator directed the officials to ensure, that COVID-19 protocol is followed in public gatherings like marriages, social events etc.

There would be no night curfew in Chandigarh.

However, the closing time of bars, restaurants, clubs etc will be reviewed in the next meeting, in case of a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.

The Administrator directed the officials to go for stricter enforcement of COVID-19 protocol in places like Mandi in Sector 26, ISBT, Railway Station, parks, Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden and other marketplaces, where crowding takes place.

Badnore also directed the officials to be ready for storage, transportation, distribution and planned vaccination of people, once the corona vaccine is made available.

The Administrator directed the health officials to intensify corona checking and testing in crowded places like ISBT, Sector-26 Mandi, Railway Station, Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden and crowded market areas.

The Administrator appealed people to take all precautions and wear masks.

“Masks are out the vaccine, till a real medical vaccine is found,” he added.