Amid the COVID-19 threat, the Ganjam district administration on Wednesday banned spitting in public places.
In a letter to district administration officials, Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange said, “Spitting in public places shall be prohibited and violators will be levied a fine of up to Rs 500.”
This apart, masks have been made compulsory to cover the mouth and nose in view of the virus outbreak. If anyone violates, the concerned person pays a fine of Rs 200.
No persons shall be allowed to walk in groups of two or more people, the letter added. It is necessary for everyone to maintain a distance of at least two meter between each other at all times.
Issuing guidelines for shopkeepers, the letter stated that they should put up boards with phrase ‘No mask, no grocery/vegetables/medicine/fruits’.
No sale of gutkha, paan, chewing gum and any food items promoting spitting shall be permitted in the district during the lockdown period, the letter said.