COVID-19 scare: Jammu DM orders closure of eateries, bars, suspends rallies, protests, religious activities till Mar 31

As per order under Section 34 of the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, the District Magistrate issued directions and guidelines for the purpose of assisting protecting or providing relief to the community in response to any threatening disaster situation.

Chauhan said that she has directed to be complied by the concerned, towards mitigating the transmission of COVID-19, in Jammu District and ordered that no Langers, Bhandaras, Dhabas, Bars, Restaurants, Food Courts, Food Stalls, Road Side Eateries etc, shall operate in District Jammu, till March 31.
No Masage Centres, Spa, Sauna and others, shall operate till March 31 while social, religious or ritualistic events at any public, community or religious place, involving a gathering of more than four people have also been suspended till March 31.

The District Magistrate has also ordered that no conferences, events, rallies, ''dharnas'', Protests etc, shall be organised within the territorial limits of District Jammu while the Transport Commissioner, J&K, shall ensure that public and private transport operating in the District shall be sanitised with the prescribed disintectants and at such regular intervals as prescribed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu, also have been directed to ensure that public places particularly the Bus/Taxi/Auto Stands, Sabzi Mandis, Railway Stations, Market Areas etc, in the District shall be sanitized with the prescribed disinfectant and at such regular intervals and organise necessary briefings and sensitisation of her staff.

However, Director, Jammu Airport and Commandant CISF, Jammu Airport, shall provide all necessary co-ordination and support to the screening desk and administrative team that have been deployed at Jammu Airport for the purpose of screening of passengers de-boarding at the Airport, she said and asked the Director to ensure cleaning of entire Airport Premises with the prescribed disinfectant and at such regular intervals as prescribed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, for which he shall organise necessary briefings and sensitisation of entire staff.

She further said that needless to say, the earlier orders issued in connection with closure of Shopping Malls, Schools, Colleges, Universities, Cinema, Gyms, Recreational Clubs etc, shall continue to be in force till March 31 and the SSP, Jammu, shall ensure that four or more people are not allowed to be gathered, in a closed group, at any place within the jurisdiction of District Jammu except at Railway Stations, Airport, Bus Stand where passengers are boarding and de-boarding for their respective designations.

"Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act also provides for penalties in case a person obstructs any officer or employee in discharge of his functions or refuses to comply with any direction and any violation, will lead to prosecution under section 51 of the DM Act, 2005," said the Chairperson, District Disaster Management Authority.