Tourists not reporting travel history to face legal action

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 21

Now, the onus to report about travel to foreign countries and return will be on the persons concerned. They would report to the District Surveillance Officer, Chief Medical Officer, SHO of the police station concerned or Block Medical Officer, as per the mandatory provision made under Section 34 of the National Disaster Management Act 2005.

“They will have to be self-quarantined for a period of 28 days beginning from the date of their return and anyone not reporting from a foreign country is liable to be criminally prosecuted,” said Shimla Deputy Commissioner Amit Kashyap here today.

Any person who has travelled from any other state of the country should also take all precautions for social distancing and keep himself home-quarantined for a period of 14 days from the date of travel back to Shimla, he added.

15% margin for veggie sellers

Following reports that prices of vegetables and fruits were being raised in the market, the district administration held a meeting with the Sabzi Mandi Association which assured that no unjustified rise in prices shall take place. Only 15 per cent margin shall be allowed over the wholesale prices, and only the carriage shall be added to these prices in the suburbs.

Shops to close for 3 days

The Shimla Beopar Mandal has decided to make janata curfew a success and gave a call for keeping shops and commercial establishments closed for three days from March 22 to 24. However, all shops selling vegetables, fruits, grocery and other essential items would remain open on all days expect during the curfew tomorrow.

Tourists leave, hotels empty

Most of the tourists have left the district and no fresh bookings are being done by hotels. The objective is that the virus should not be brought and spread in the district by any traveller.