Spitting in public places in Ganjam district to attract Rs 500 penalty

Ganjam: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ganjam district administration today 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 pay a fine of Rs 200.

No persons shall be allowed to walk in groups of two or more people, the letter read. It is necessary for everyone to maintain a distance of at least two metre between each other at all times.

Issuing guidelines for shopkeepers, the letter stated they should put up boards with phrase ‘No mask no grocery/vegetables/medicine/fruits’.

No sale of gutka, paan, chewing gum and any food items promoting spitting shall be permitted in the district during the lockdown period, it said.