Coronavirus: Pune District Administration Issues Guidelines for Housing Societies
Pune, June 10, 2020: Pune District Collector Naval Kishore Ram, who is the competent authority for the implementation of the Epidemic Diseases Act and Disaster Management Act, today issued guidelines for housing societies as they were framing own rules which have led to confusion among people and also inconvenienced the residents. Many societies were not allowing domestic maids and other service providers and also issued dos and don’ts for COVID19 patients and their relatives.
In his order, Ram stated that many housing societies are formulating their own rules and regulations in the case of Coronavirus-infected patients and their relatives. It is necessary to take care of these as well as to maintain social distance, avoid unnecessary crowds, etc. Such measures should be taken in society by raising awareness on the issues. They should also advise citizens to wear masks, use sanitizers, wash their hands with soap, to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. The elderly, children and pregnant women have been asked to stay at home.
Ram, who is also the Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority Pune, has issued instructions for the all the Chairman, Secretary and other members of housing societies. They have been asked to follow these guidelines:
1. The society should not boycott COVID19 patients when they return home after treatment. Their relatives and caretakers should not be discriminated.
2. Officers/employees of the essential services should be treated in a proper manner. They should not be prevented from going on duty and coming back home.
3. Individuals/organizations providing essential services in the society such as plumbers, electricians, LPG cylinder, water etc. should not be barred from entering the society.
4. The society should act as per the orders given by the state government and district administration from time to time without imposing its own internal restrictions.
The District Collector stated that the above order should be implemented immediately. If there is delay or objection to the implementation of the order, then legal action will be taken for offences under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Indian Penal and other relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act 2005 and Epidemic Diseases Act.
