Port Blair, Aug 18: In view of the increasing number of COVID-19 Cases in the A&N Islands, the A&N Administration has deemed it necessary that the additional restrictions be imposed in areas outside the containment zones.
In pursuance of the powers vested in him Under Section 51(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and in compliance of the National Directives on COVID-19 and to contain the spread of COVID-19 in South Andaman, the District Magistrate South Andaman has directed the following:
- All shops and establishments shall remain closed except those that are providing essential services like Grocery/ Kirana/ Milk/ Bakery Shops, Fruits & Vegetable Shops, Meat/Chicken/Fish Shops, Chemists/ Pharmacies, Petrol Pumps/ Fuel Depots and Books & Stationary Shops.
- All the offices of Govt. of India/ UT/ Local Bodies shall remain closed except those engaged in Essential Services/ Activities like Health, Medical College, Police, Defence Forces, Revenue & Disaster Management, Agriculture, Social Welfare, Vet. Hospitals, Sanitation, Electricity, Water Supply, Transport, Shipping, ANIIDCO, Fire Services, Medical Labs and Diagnostic facilities (both Govt. & Private).
- Service providers engaged in Phone & Internet, Pvt. Doctors/ Clinics/ Nursing Homes, Cable-TV, AIR, Doordarshan, Cargo & Logistics, Courier and Home Delivery services of items are allowed.
- Banking (Only essential operations) & ATMs are allowed.
- Hospitality services engaged as Quarantine Centres/ Isolation Centres or Servicing them are allowed.
- All places of worships shall be closed for the general public.
- In-situ construction activity in Municipal Area is allowed subject to strict compliance and undertaking by the contractor for following all the SOP’s & Guidelines on COVID-19 management prescribed by the MoHFW/ GOI.
- In Rural Areas, MGNREGA/ RD/ Agriculture/ Dairying/ Fishery operations are allowed while maintaining social distancing, only in those areas that are outside containment zones where there is no infection or having few cases.
- All incoming passengers from mainland shall be tested and kept in institutional quarantine (for residents of Nicobar, North & Middle District, Little Andaman, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep) and in Home Quarantine (For residents of South Andaman) till they test negative (-Ve) for COVID0-19 or 7 days, whichever is earlier.
In case of passengers destined for Tribal areas (Nicobar District), Rangat tehsil and Little Andaman) they shall be also tested for COVID-19.
- All drivers and helpers of cargo vehicle/ persons requiring emergency movement on the ATR and moving to the North & Middle Andaman District shall be tested first and allowed to move only if they test Negative (-Ve) for COVID-19.
- All persons moving by Ship (including crew) on inter-island routes shall be tested for COVID-19 before boarding and they shall be allowed to move only if they test Negative (-ve) for COVID-19. All passengers shall be quarantined on arrival at their destination for 7 days.
On weekends, i.e. on Saturday and Sunday (22nd and 23rd of August) there shall be complete lockdown as per the orders of the A&N Administration dated 28th July 2020 vide F. No. CS/Sr.PS/05/2020.
Guidance for movement already issued on 11th August 2020. For those cases which require passes and were subsequently issued passes, those passes shall be valid till the duration of these orders. Further requests for passes can be submitted electronically on http://epass.andaman.gov.in, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or WhatsApp number +91-8900911230.
Any establishment / person violating the directions listed in the order shall be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 besides legal action under section 188 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable. They shall also be liable to pay fines as per the orders in force.