Thiruvananthapuram : Night curfew in state commenced Tuesday. The curfew takes effect from 9 at night to 5 in the morning. There is heavy police deployment during night hours to ensure curfew compliance. The curb does not apply to to public transportation, goods vehicles and essential services however.
At the Collectors’ meeting held Tuesday, the Chief Secretary Dr. VP Joy called for all-tight implementation of the curfew. At orders from DGP Loknath Behera, police from reserved and special units too have been pressed into night deployment to ensure rigid curfew.
Essential Travels Allowed
Curfew stands lowered for essential services and travels comprising medical shops, hospitals, petrol pumps, milk, newspaper distribution, media, news reporters, health workers, electrician, IT experts etc. These persons are required to carry their ID cards during travel. Also members of the general public may night travel for hospital purposes or other emergencies provided they are reasonably convincing to the police.
Shopping malls and cinema theatres must close down by 7.30 pm. Hotels may remain open until 9 pm. However, dine-ins shall be restricted to half the seating-capacity. Only 2 passengers would be allowed in auto. A concession for three will be allowed for taxis provided all passengers are members of the same family.
Rs 5,000 Fine For Crowding
Gathering in violation of rules will attract heavy penalty under Prevention of Communicable Diseases Act. Only 150 persons are allowed in open-space gatherings and 50 in closed environment. Those found violating the restriction would be fined Rs 5000.
Other Violations and Fines
● Visiting Covid-affected areas unnecessarily – Rs 500. ● Violation of guest worker rules Rs 500. ● Venturing outdoors in vehicle unnecessarily Rs 2000. ● Hotels and shops must close by 9 pm; Dine-ins at hotels at half capacity only – Rs 3000 fine for violation. ● Opening of school, office or mall in violation of rule will attract Rs 2000 in fine. ● Running shop, factory or businesses in violation of rules - 2-year imprisonment plus Rs 1000 fine. ● Rs 2000 fine if crowd at a funeral exceeds 20 persons at any point of time or if anyone there is found without mask or keeping social distance or flout rules applicable to cremation of a covid-positive person ● Any get -together, march, demonstration or protest without prior permission or if such gathering comprises more than 10 persons or there be breach of social distancing - Rs 3000 . ● Not more than 20 persons shall be allowed at a shop or any business outlet at any given time. ● A shopkeeper who fails to provide sanitiser would be fined Rs 3000.
