With alarming rise in number of COVID-19 cases in Nagpur city as well as the rural areas of district, theadministration has tightened curbs.

On the eve of New Year, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the district administration both issued separate orders for Nagpur city and rural areas respectively in this regard. The orders place restrictions on number of attendees at weddings, funerals, and other gatherings in closed or open spaces.

Radhakrishnan B, Municipal Commissioner, issued order for the city, and Vimala R, District Collector, for the rural areas of the district. In accordance with the fresh orders, persons not wearing masks in public places will have to pay the fine in city and rural areas.

As per the order issued by the District Collector, the maximum number of attendees shall be restricted to 50 persons in case of marriages, or any gathering or programme (social, cultural, political, or religious) either in enclosed space or open-to-sky spaces. Also, the maximum number of attendees at funeral shall be restricted to 20 persons.

Those violating COVID-19 guidelines will have to pay fine of Rs 500/- in case of individuals. Shops/establishments found to be lax in enforcing COVID-19 guidelines will have to pay Rs 10,000/-. If the shops/establishments are found violating COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), penalty of Rs 50,000/- may be recovered from them. If violations are repeated in a shop or establishment, it may be shut till COVID-19 notification is in effect. Taxi, four-wheelers engaged in private transport, bus, service providers also have to ensure that CAB is followed while continuing with operations.

The decision to impose fine and tighten the curbs was taken in the meeting of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Friday. Vimala R, Chairperson of DDMA, presided over the meeting. Yogesh Kumbhejkar, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad; Vijay Magar, Superintendent of Police, Nagpur Rural; Basavraj Teli, Deputy Commissioner of Police; Dr Devendra Paturkar, Civil Surgeon; Dr Deepak Selokar, District Health Officer; Vijaya Bankar, Resident Deputy Collector; Ankush Gawande, District Disaster Management Officer, and other officers attended the meeting.