Heavy Penalty On People For Violating COVID Norms, Maharashtra Government Issues New Guidelines

Mumbai, 27th November 2021: The Maharashtra state government has relaxed restrictions on the economic, social, recreational and cultural sectors for fully vaccinated people due to a reduction in the number of Covid19 patients in the state. However, the government has made it clear that a heavy penalty will be imposed on people who are found violating the Coronavirus disease (COVID19) preventive norms.

The new order is as follows:

Adherence to CAB (Covid Appropriate Behaviour): Strict adherence to CAB as laid down by the State and Central Government from time to time shall be observed by all, including the service providers, owners of premises, licensees, Organizers etc. as well as all visitors, service takers, customers, guests etc.

Penalties for individuals and organizations who do not comply with the Code of Conduct:   

•  Any individual not following CAB expected shall be fined Rs 500 for each instance of default.

• If the default by an individual is seen in any premises of organization or establishment that is supposed to impose CAB on their visitors, customers etc., in addition to imposing fine on the individual, these organizations or establishments shall also be fined Rs 10,000/-. If any organization or establishment is seen to be a regular defaulter in ensuring discipline for CAB in its visitors, customers ete. such organization or establishment shall be closed till the notification of Covid19 as a disaster remains in force.

• If an organization or establishment fails to follow CAB or SOP itself. it will be liable to be fine of Rs 50,000 for each instance. Frequent defaults shall lead to closure of the organization or establishment till the notification of Covid19 as a disaster remains in force.

• If the default is found inside any taxi or private transport four-wheeler or inside any bus, along with the individual defaulting CAB being fined Rs 500, driver, helper or conductor who are providing service shall also be fined Rs 500. Owner transport agency in cases of buses shall be fined Rs 10000 for each instance of default. Frequent defaults shall lead to withdrawal of license or closure of operations for the owner agency till the notification of Covid19 as a disaster remains in force.

 Requirement of being Fully Vaccinated:

a. All persons connected with the organization of any program, event or show, ticketed or non-ticketed, as well as all service providers and participants (like players, actors etc.), visitors, guests, customers shall be fully vaccinated.

b. Any shop, establishment, mall, event, gathering etc. where a member of public has a right to come and get services must be manned by fully vaccinated persons and all visitors, customers for such places shall be fully vaccinated.

 Travel in the state of Maharashtra: The Central Government’s guidelines will apply to all travelers coming to the state from any international destination while traveling in the state of Maharashtra. All domestic travelers arriving in the state must either be fully vaccinated or must have an RT-PCR test certificate valid for 72 hours.

 In any event, restrictions on attendance at the ceremony:   In case of any event or event taking place in a closed house, theatre, mangal karyalaya hall, 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue will be allowed. The capacity of such ceremonial venues, unless formally determined in advance (like a stadium), the District Disaster Management Authority will have the power to determine such capacity.

If the total number of people attending any meeting (meeting is more than 1000) then the local disaster management authority has to be informed and the local disaster management authority will send their representatives to supervise any such meeting. The local administration reserves the right to terminate the program in whole or in part if it is found to be in violation of the Covid Code of Conduct.

 Powers of District Disaster Management Authority: Any District Disaster Management Authority may, if it deems fit, at any time, extend to its respective jurisdictions the conditions and conditions set forth therein. Any restrictions