Port Blair, July 27: The lockdown in South Andaman region has been extended for seven more days with existing norms of previous lockdown with an aim to keep the number of COVID-19 cases under total control.
The present lockdown order, issued by Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, District Magistrate, South Andaman District, shall come into effect from tomorrow, 28 July 2021 and shall remain in force till 03 August 2021.
“In view of the declining number of cases, implementation of relaxation measures shall be carefully calibrated; and prompt and targeted action with continued focus of containment efforts to curb the spread of infection as per the advisory of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India shall be scrupulously implemented in the District,” the issued by the District Magistrate mentioned.
As per official data, there are at present only 12 active COVID-19 cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In the first and second wave altogether 129 deaths have been reported in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Since the beginning Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded 7530 COVID-19 cases out of which 7389 people have already recovered.
As per some prominent norms of new lockdown orders, Shops selling essential and non-essential items shall be allowed to open between 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM by observing COVID appropriate behavior. It shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/In-Charge of the shop/business establishment to ensure its compliance and shall be held responsible for any violation and he/she shall be liable to be fined to the tune of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) in addition to sealing of the shop/establishment for a period of 14 days by the Executive Magistrate and shall be liable for action under DM Act.
No movement of men and material without valid movement pass/e-pass shall be allowed other than the time fixed for opening of shops between 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM.
Movement shall be allowed for emergency cases, medical emergencies, pregnant women and patients availing medical services.
Persons engaged for essential activities for movement of goods on Andaman Trunk road, loading and unloading of essential cargo after 08:00 PM shall be allowed on production of valid movement permit issued by the Office of District Magistrate.
Travel of persons who intend to proceed to their destinations at mainland after 08:00 PM shall be allowed on production of valid travel documents. However, the person (one person) who intend to pick/drop after 08:00 PM, should apply for e-pass well in advance with supporting documents and the same shall be issued by the Office of District Magistrate on case to case basis.
Movement of officers/officials involved in providing essential services such as District Administration, Police, CISF, Health Services, ICMR, PBMC, Electricity, Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire and emergency services, Defence personnel on duty after 08:00 PM shall be permitted on production of valid Identity Cards issued by their concerned departments.
Movement of Officers/Officials, involved in providing services such as Pay & Accounts, Shipping Services, Forest, Banking, Water Supply & Sanitation in Rural Areas, Disaster Management, Port services and related services, Telecommunication shall be allowed after 08:00 PM on production of movement passes already issued by the Office of District Magistrate.
Movement of personnel involved in providing Broadcasting, all print and electronic media persons after 08:00 PM shall be allowed on production of valid movement passes issued by the Office of District Magistrate.
Movement of personnel involved in Private Security Services, Cable Services, Internet Service Providers, POL Outlets, LPG Stores/Godown, ATMs, e-Commerce activities, Cold Storages, Godowns and Warehouses shall be allowed after 08:00 PM on production of e-passes issued by the Office of District Magistrate. It shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/In-Charge of the shop/business establishment to ensure its compliance and also if any person attached with such organisation is found misusing the e-passes or using the same for purposes other than it is meant for, the owner/in-charge shall be held responsible and he/she shall be liable to be fined to the tune of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Only) and shall also be liable for action under DM Act.
All POL outlets shall be opened from 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM.
Movement of private medical personnel such as Doctors, nursing staff, paramedics etc. attached with diagnostic centres and clinics, veterinary clinics shall be allowed after 08:00 PM on production of e-passes issued by the Office of District Magistrate.
Movement of persons from containment zones shall be strictly restricted and shall only be permitted on case to case basis upon approval from the Office of District Magistrate.
Port services will continue to operate as usual and both essential and non-essential cargo can be moved in and out of port, as per requirement for loading/unloading/clearing of cargo and the same shall be permitted till 08:00 PM only. e-Passes for operation of cargo movement after 08:00 PM needs to be obtained, which shall be strictly permitted on case to case basis by the Office of the District Magistrate.
Construction activities shall be permitted from 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM. Construction activities of national importance and strategic projects beyond 08:00 PM shall be permitted with prior permission of District Magistrate and e-Passes needs to be obtained, which shall be strictly permitted on case to case basis by the Office of the District Magistrate.
Movement of persons involved with Hotels/Restaurants and Mess to be certified by the firm/organisation for home delivery of food shall be allowed till 09:00 PM on production of e-passes issued by the Office of District Magistrate. Dine-in shall be permitted between 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM only, subject to 50% of the seating capacity and strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviours. However, take away/parcel service and home delivery should be encouraged. It shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/In-Charge of the shop/business establishment to ensure its compliance and also if any person attached with such organisation found misusing the e-passes or using the same for purposes other than it is meant for, the owner/in-charge shall be held responsible and he/she shall be liable to be fined to the tune of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) in addition to sealing of the shop/establishment for a period of 14 days by the Executive Magistrate and shall also be liable for action under DM Act.
Public Transport/Buses shall be allowed to ply with maximum 90% seating capacity including Autos, Taxis and Jeeps in partial modification to this Office Order No.566 dt. 23rd April 2021. Transportation of cargo shall also be permitted. SOPs in this regard issued by the Transport department should be strictly adhered to.
The e-passes issued by the Office of the District Magistrate to individuals for movement after 08:00 PM involved in various activities/services shall be revalidated on case to case basis.
Sale and service of liquor at licensed premises shall be permitted till 08:00 PM. SOPs and orders regarding the timings for sale and service of liquor at all licensed establishments (C, C1, B1, B2, B3 and B4 category) issued by the Deputy Commissioner (Excise), South Andaman should be strictly adhered to.
Gyms and yoga institutes shall be permitted to open from 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM subject to strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviours. Any person/organisation violating the above directions shall be liable to be fined to the tune of Rs.25,000/-.
Last rites/funerals shall be permitted with a maximum of 20 persons with strict adherence of to COVID appropriate behaviours.
No tribal passes will be issued for southern group of islands till further orders except for official purposes.
All Religious places/places of worship are allowed to open between 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM with only priest and two management staff to perform day to day rituals. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision of thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizers will be mandatory. No devotees shall be allowed to enter the religious place. The Management Committee of the religious places shall be responsible to ensure strict compliance and any violations of the directions shall be liable for fine to the tune of Rs.10,000/- payable by the Committee.
Religious places/places of worship in containment zones shall remain closed. Only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open up.
e-pass for emergency movement during restricted timings may be submitted online on https://epass.andaman.gov.in. The applicants/organizations submitting applications for e-pass should invariably submit valid and clear supporting documents, failing which the application will be summarily rejected.
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