Uttarakhand makes masks compulsory at public places; violators to be jailed for 6 months 

Amid rising Coronavirus cases, Uttarakhand government passed an ordinance that imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 and jail term up to 6 months for t wearing masks in public places. ordinance was passed after amendments in Sections 2 and 3 of Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897. state has also me quarantine rules stricter. ordinance was approved by Goverr Baby Rani Maurya on Saturday.

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State's quarantine rules

On June 8 as India entered first phase of Unlock 1, Uttarakhand government issued a new standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding COVID-19 quarantine. Trivendra Singh Rawat-led government stated that quarantine arrangements so me shall be duly intimated to state government/district dal Officer on a regular basis. tice furr stated that all inbound persons from or states, irrespective of mode of travel, shall mandatorily downlo and update Aarogya Setu mobile application.

" Army, Air Force, Navy and or Paramilitary forces shall make ir own arrangements for institutional quarantining of ir officers, personnel and family members inbound from high lo COVID-19 infected cities/ districts for 7 days followed by home quarantine of 14 days," tice re.

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"re quarantine facilities shall meet standards of Ministry of Health. quarantine arrangements so me shall be duly intimated to state government/district dal Officer on a regular basis. All inbound persons from or states, irrespective of mode of travel, shall mandatorily downlo and update Aarogya Setu mobile application," tice ded.

"However, in case of inter-state and intra-state movement for official purposes, Ministers of Government of India, Ministers of Government of Uttarakhand, Chief Justice and Judges of  High Court of Nainital, all judges and judicial officers of district and subordinate judiciary of state, MPs and MLAs of Uttarkhand, all officers of GoI, State shall be exempted from being quarantined. However, such individuals shall ensure compliance of all rms of safety and social distancing, as per guidelines of MoHFW and MHA," letter ded.

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Coronavirus tally in Uttarakhand

 COVID-19 fatalities in state have risen to 23 while 61 more people tested positive for infection on Saturday taking state's total tally to 1,785.  A total of 1,077 patients have recovered, while 23 have died and eight ors have migrated out of state.

RE | Uttarakhand issues new SOPs for COVID-19 quarantine; mandates certain guidelines

(with PTI inputs)