GUWAHATI: In the wake of sharp rise in cases of COVID19 infection in Assam since August, Gauhati High Court has directed Assam government to make it mandatory to wear mask and maintain social distance in public and impose fine in case of violation of these norms.
Assam Health Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma today informed that Gauhati High Court had directed Deputy Commissioners and Superintendent of Police in all the districts of the state to ensure people wear mask and maintain social distance in public places.
The Court has directed imposition of fine of Rs 500 per person without fail for the first offence in case someone is found violating the above COVD norms and the fine amount be doubled in case of second offence by the same person.
The High Court has also mentioned in the directive that it will monitor the amount of fine collected by the district administrations in this regard.
The Health Minister said that in the wake of the High Court directive the state government would launch a massive awareness drive to make people wear mask and maintain social distance in public places.
He said the government would consider to distribute face masks among the poor who can’t afford to buy one. Already Assam government had provided face masks to tea garden workers in the state.
