Organisers of gatherings will be Covid monitors, says administration

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 14

In a new set of instructions, the district administration has announced to enforce ceiling on gatherings (indoors and outdoors) strictly, in the wake of a sudden spurt in the Covid-19 cases.

The administration’s order reads that organisers of such events would be Covid monitors for ensuring pandemic appropriate behavior. “Any violation of Covid advisory at their organised event will be their responsibility,” mentions the order.

The government had earlier imposed a ceiling of 100 and 200 persons for indoors and outdoors, respectively. Due to lack of implementation, much larger gatherings could be witnessed in the events.

The order further states that the organisers shall ensure that any person attending an event should be either tested negative for Covid (72 hours prior to the event) or should have been vaccinated.

Officials said the drive to issue challans to shopkeepers and customers who do not wear masks would also be conducted for which the police and the Health Department’s employees would work in tandem.

Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khaira asked all the SDMs and police personnel to ensure that these directions were strictly followed in their sub divisions, especially at marriage palaces and restaurants.

The Deputy Commissioner said a fine would be imposed on violators found roaming in crowded places without masks. He said such persons would be tested for the Covid-19 on the spot.

He said as fresh cases increased once again, residents were required to follow the health guidelines and ensure that people around them also practise social distancing and wear masks.

Meanwhile, 110 fresh cases of Covid were reported in the district on Sunday.