Published 07:36 IST, April 14th 2020

Bihar govt bans spitting at public places with Rs 200 fine or six months imprisonment

Bihar health department issued orders to ban spitting in public places. Violation of order by the public is punishable with Rs 200 fine or 6 months imprisonment

Reported by: Brigitte Fernandes
Follow: Google News Icon
  • share
null | Image: self
Advertisement

In wake of global pandemic Coronavirus which has claimed  lives of many people, Bihar health department issued orders to ban spitting in public places on Monday. Any violation of government order by public is punishable with Rs 200 fine or six months imprisonment under Indian Penal Code provisions. This ban is invoked under provisions of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

READ | Rajasthan to conduct rapid testing to identify coronavirus patients in time: CM Gehlot

Advertisement

orders of  Bihar principal secretary (health) stated that spitting after use of tobacco, gutkha, paan masala, bidi and cigarette is completely banned in state especially at public places such as lanes, roads, government and n-government buildings, police station premises and all health and educational institutions.

READ | Delhi HC directs officials to use Aarogya Setu app to curb spread of Coronavirus

Advertisement

order furr mentioned that  tendency to spit anywhere in public places puts health of public in danger and is  main reason for spread of communicable diseases. Spitting in open can spread several serious diseases such as COVID-19, encephalitis, and tuberculosis, order added.

READ | United Nations warns of 'global food short' due to coronavirus pandemic

Advertisement

Union Health Ministry updates on COVID-19

Union Health Ministry on Monday stated that 25 districts across 15 states which had reported Coronavirus cases earlier, have witnessed new case in past 14 days. Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal, in his daily media briefing named all districts, detailed on use of techlogy to combat COVID-19 and also urged citizens to download Aarogya Setu app which has witnessed 3.5 crore downloads already. 

Health Ministry anunced that re have been 796 cases and 35 deaths in 24 hours taking total toll to 9152 total cases and 308 deaths across country. 

Advertisement

25 districts report case

Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal, in his daily media briefing on Monday said, "25 districts across 15 states have reported positive case in past 14 days. se districts are - Gondia, Rajnandgaon, Dur, Bilaspur, Devangiri, Kodagu, Udupi, Tumakuru, South Goa, Wayanad, Kottayam, West Imphal, Rajouri, Aizwal West, Mahe, SBS Nagar, Patna, Nalanda, Munger, Pratapgarh, Panipat, Rohtak, Shirsa, Paudhigarwal, and Bhadradri Kothagudem."

READ | Delhi HC directs officials to use Aarogya Setu app to curb spread of Coronavirus

Advertisement

07:36 IST, April 14th 2020