The Maharashtra government on Saturday announced that smoking, spitting and consumption of tobacco in public places will be a punishable offence in the state. This is being done to contain the spread of the coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak.
Maharashtra Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed that this decision has been taken in the public interest as spitting in public places contributes to spreading infections and deadly diseases. With an epidemic situation like coronavirus which can be transmitted, the state government has made it a punishable offence.
The decision to ban spitting, consumption and smoking of tobacco in public places in Maharashtra has been taken as per the provisions of the Infection Diseases Act and Disaster Management Act and the order will be applicable across the state.
During his address on social media, Tope informed that the first-time violators will be fined ₹1,000 and will be directed for public service for one day. The second time-violators will pay ₹3,000 and perform a three-day public service. Meanwhile, the punishment for those who violate the order multiple times will be ₹5,000 and five days of public service.
The punishment for violators will range from six months to two years jail time or fine or both as per various sections of Mumbai Police Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Meanwhile, the centre on Saturday announces the guidelines for lockdown 5.0 which begins on June 1. Union Home Ministry said that a complete lockdown will remain till June 30 in contained zones across the country while the restrictions imposed in other places will be lifted gradually.
Maharashtra has crossed the 65,000-mark and the number has risen to 65,168. The death toll in the state has reached 2,197. In Mumbai alone, as of May 30, the number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 38,442.
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