Mizoram enacts ordinance to curb Covid-19 lockdown breach

AIZAWL: After Rajasthan, Mizoram has promulgated an ordinance to tackle violations of personal and public safety, public hygiene, lockdown measures with stringent punishment. It gives broader powers to officials in a bid to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a top official, here on Monday.

Mizoram is the first State in the northeastern region to promulgate the Mizoram (Containment and Prevention of COVID-19) Ordinance, 2020 on Sunday, stipulating imprisonment up to three months and a fine of Rs 5,000 for violations of personal and public safety norms.

Law and Judicial Department Secretary Marli Vankung said the provisions would be in addition to provisions of any other law in force.

"According to the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and the IPC (Indian Penal Code), the authorities have to follow certain procedures and legal formalities and these takes some time. The ordinance would give wider power to the authorities to take quick and immediate action against violators," she told IANS over phone.

The ordinance comes a week after eight teenagers were beaten by some people for violating the lockdown.

The ordinance, approved by the cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Saturday, said, "no suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any person authorised under this ordinance for anything, which is done or intended to be done in good faith under this ordinance."

According to the ordinance, the offences include, entering or staying at any public place without mask, failing to maintain social distancing protocols in public places, spitting in public, organising any social or religious event without permission from the competent authority, crossing borders by exiting or entering the state without permission, avoiding or attempting to evade quarantine and or isolation at designated quarantine facility. (IANS)

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