No vaccine, no entry: Only fully vaccinated people allowed in public places, says Chandigarh Administration

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 24

Chandigarh administration announced on Friday that it was banning those not fully vaccinated from public places, hotels, bars, cinemas, and banks—a decision that comes two days after the Haryana Government made a similar announcement.

A new order from UT Adviser Dharam Pal cited the new Omicron variant and a consequent surge in cases to say adults whose vaccine doses are still pending should remain out of “public places/market/function/public transport/religious places” until they’re fully vaccinated. 

“As all are aware that Covid-19 pandemic has posed a huge challenge to the community and affected each and every individual adversely,” the order says. 

“In public places with large gatherings like sabzi mandi, grain markets, public transport, parks, religious places malls, shopping complexes, Haats, Local market and other similar places only fully vaccinated (second Dose) adult persons or those who are not due for the second dose as per health protocol are to be allowed,” the new order said. Violations will be penalised with a fine of Rs 500, the order said.

This means hotels, bars, restaurants, malls, shopping complexes, cinema halls, gyms and fitness centers, private as well as public sector banks, and even government offices could only let in adults who are either fully vaccinated or those whose second doses are not due yet.

Additional and joint municipal commissioner; the municipal medical officer of health; medical officers designated by the UT's Director Health & Family Welfare; Station House Officers; and any other official specifically entrusted with the task by the Chandigarh deputy commissioner are responsible for enforcing the directions. 

The order comes as data shows that over 1.85 lakh beneficiaries have missed the date for their second dose and are now overdue. The development also comes on a day when Chandigarh recorded 12 new Covid-19 cases.

Here's the full order

As all are aware that COVID-19 Pandemic has posed a huge challenge to the community and affected each and every individual adversely. Large numbers of beneficiaries are due and overdue since long for 2nd dose of COVID-19 Vaccination. Further, new variants of COVID are emerging frequently and recently Omicron cases are showing increasing trend in our country. Looking into current scenario steps need to be taken for increasing coverage of vaccination to mitigate spread of Corona Virus.

The COVID vaccination has been demonstrated to be effective against SARS-CoV2 Variants of concern in reducing mortality, morbidity and mortality. It is therefore, of paramount importance to fully vaccinate the remaining population. Considering emergent issues especially because of the new variant of concern ‘OMICRON’ of COVID- 19, the persons who are not fully vaccinated are required to take more precautions. Accordingly, all those adult persons who have not yet taken both the doses of COVID vaccination should remain at their residences and should not visit any of the Public Places/Market/function/Public Transport/Religious Places etc.

Now the Chandigarh Administration has decided that to ensure safety of non-vaccinated Adult Persons, the following should be strictly enforced from 01.01.2022 in entire UT Chandigarh:-

1) In public places with large gatherings like sabzi mandi, grain markets, public transport, parks religious places, malls, shopping complexes, Haats, local market and other similar places only fully vaccinated (second Dose)adult persons or those who are not due for second dose as per health protocol are to be allowed. In case any adult person(s) are found of above violations, they would be imposed a fine of Rs.500/-. Non-payment of the fine by the violator will attract proceedings under Section 188 of IPC. Every Officer designated below shall be responsible for enforcing of these directions:-

i) Tehsildar and Naib-Tehsildar;

ii) Additional/ Joint Commissioners, Municipal Corporation;

iii) Medical Officer of Health, Municipal Corporation;

iv) Medical Officers as designated by the Dlrector Health & Family Welfare, UT Chandigarh;

v)  Station House Officers;

vi) Any other Officer/ Official specifically designated by the Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh form time to time.

2) All Government/Board/Corporation offices located in Chandigarh to allow only fully vaccinated (second dose) Adult Persons (including their employees) or those who are not due for second dose as per health protocol.

3) Hotels, bars, restaurants, mall, shopping complexes, cinema halls, gym and fitness centers to allow only fully vaccinated (second dose) Adult Persons (including their employees) or those who are not due for second dose as per health protocol.

4)   Both Private and Government Sector Banks to allow only fully vaccinated (second Dose) Adult Persons (including their employees) or those who are not due for second dose as per health protocol. Instruction to these banks may be given, accordingly.

Following means may be considered for verifying the vaccination status (in case of COVISHEID beneficiary will be eligible for second dose after 84 days from first dose and in case of COVAXIN, beneficiary will be eligible for second dose after 28 days from first dose):

Vaccination teams where and whenever demanded by office in charges for on the spot vaccination or for regular vaccination camps at places of gathering would be provided by the Health Department, Chandigarh.

In order to contain the spread of Corona Virus infection Deputy Commissioner, UT Chandigarh to ensure compliance to above mentioned steps 1st January, 2022 onwards.

DHARAM PAL, IAS
Adviser to the Administrator, UT & Chairperson, State Executive Committee of State Disaster Management Authority, UT, Chandigarh

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