Rs 500 fine for spitting in the open in Salem, Kovai districts

The new order from Collector CA Raman is aimed at controlling the spread of the contagion. Already, violations in mask wearing and maintaining social distance in public places were being dealt with punitive action by the district administration.

To further bring down the spread of the virus, the public have been advised against spitting in open as the virus is likely to spread through droplets.

The ban on spitting comes in corporation limits, four Municipalities, 33 Town Panchayats and 385 village panchayats that come under 20 panchayat unions.

“Violators will be imposed with a penalty of Rs 500 under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897. The public, traders and workers should extend co-operation to contain the spread of the infection,” the Collector said.

Salem continues to be in the grip of COVID-19 as 190 new cases were reported on Monday. With a steady increase in infections over the last two weeks, the district has registered a total of 3,185 COVID-19 positive persons, including 975 active cases.

Similarly, Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Sravan Kumar Jatavath also announced levying a fine of Rs 500 against those spitting in public places in the Corporation limits.

This new restriction comes on a day when the district reported its highest ever single day spike with 373 persons testing COVID-19 positive.