Four arrested, several eateries, clubs fined for flouting COVID-19 norms
What's the story
Four people were arrested and several restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels have been fined and face cases for flouting COVID-19 safety guidelines, following a two-day special drive which was conducted in places with high footfall, including markets, on Friday and Saturday. People were also fined for not wearing face masks and spitting in public areas. Some of the establishments were penalized for serving hookah.
Who face charges?
FIRs registered against popular restaurants in Central Delhi
Giving details about the drive in New Delhi, a senior police officer said, FIRs were registered against the owners of Jain Chawal Wala at Connaught Place, Informal Restaurant at Janpath, Classic Chicken Restaurant at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg, and Choice Chicken Corner Kalina at Gole Market for not observing COVID-19-appropriate behavior. A total of 17 FIRs were registered against the violators, police said.
Charges
Violators face charges under IPC Sections 269, 270 and 188
The cases were registered under IPC Sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Vikas Kumar said. They also have been booked under Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act.
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Twelve fined for going maskless in upscale South Delhi areas
"Besides the above-mentioned restaurants and food corners, nine people were fined Rs. 2,000 each for not wearing masks in the Khan Market area and three others for the same reason at the Ashoka Hotel in Chanakyapuri," Kumar said.
Night clubs
Several night clubs face license cancellations
According to police, in the South-East district, 10 FIRs were registered and 330 people were fined. Several night clubs, including the Roar Night Club at Eros Hotel in Nehru Place, were fined for not maintaining social distancing and serving hookahs, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) RP Meena said. Municipal corporations and the excise department have been asked to cancel their licenses.
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Some eateries were booked under the Epidemic Diseases Act
"Besides the Epidemic Diseases Act, they have been also booked under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act," Meena said. Restaurants in the New Friends Colony sub-division like Brijwasi and Al Bake were also fined and booked under the Epidemic Diseases Act, the police said.
Details
Delhi recorded the highest daily count this year on Sunday
In separate data shared by police, on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, 173 people and establishments were fined. Out of these, 13 were banquet hall owners, 58 restaurant owners, and three-night club owners. Delhi recorded 4,033 coronavirus cases on Sunday, the highest daily count this year, while the positivity rate rose to 4.64 percent from 4.48 percent a day ago.
COVID-19 spread
Cases have been steadily increasing since more than a week
Twenty-one more people have died due to the disease, the highest since January 1, when an equal number of fatalities were reported. The national capital has seen an increase in cases with 3,594 cases being reported on Friday, the highest daily count this year, 2,790 cases on Thursday, 1,819 cases on Wednesday, and 992 cases on Tuesday, according to official data.