MHA makes masks mandatory in public and workplace; bans spitting, sale of liquor & tobacco

THE Central Government today issued National Directives for Covid19 Management throughout the country making face covers mandatory at work and in public places, and announcing bans on spitting and selling liquor and tobacco. These directives to operate in three fields namely public spaces, workspaces and manufacturing establishment.

Public spaces:

1. Wearing of face cover has been made compulsory in all public, workplaces
2. All persons in charge of public places, workplaces and transport shall ensure social distancing as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
3. No organization/manager of a public place shall allow gathering of 5 or more persons
4. Gathering such as marriages and funerals shall remain regulated by the District Magistrates.
5. Spitting in public spaces shall be punishable with fine
6. There should be a strict ban on the sale of liquor, gutka, tobacco etc, and spitting should be strictly prohibited.

Workspaces:

1. All workplaces shall have adequate arrangements for temperature screening and provide sanitizers at convenient places
2. Workplaces shall have a gap of one hour between shifts and will stagger the lunch breaks of staff, to ensure social distancing
3. Persons above 65 years of age and persons with co-morbidities and parents of children below the age of 5 may be encouraged to work from home
4. Use of Arogya Setu will be encouraged for all employees both private and public
5. All organizations shall sanitize their workplaces between shifts
6. Large meetings to be prohibited.

Manufacturing establishment:

1. Frequent cleaning of common surfaces and mandatory handwashing shall be mandated
2. No overlap of shifts and staggered lunch with social distancing in canteens
3. Intensive communication and training on good hygiene practices shall be taken up.