Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Although the number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) increased to 21,393 in India and 686 persons had died due to it in the country till 5 pm on April 23,2020, there are 12 districts that did not have a fresh COVID-19 case in the last 28 days or more. Since April 21, 2020, eight new districts have been added. These are: Chitradurga (Karnataka), Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), Imphal West (Manipur), Aizawl West (Mizoram), Bhadradari Kothagudem (Telangana), Pilibhit (UP), SBS Nagar (Punjab), & South Goa (Goa). Also, 78 districts from 23 States/UTs have not reported any fresh cases during the last 14 days. The number of people cured/discharged has climbed to 4,324.
An Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, in the light of the pandemic situation of COVID-19 was promulgated on April 22, 2020. The Ordinance is called Epidemic Disease (Act) Ordinance 2020, which states that “No person shall indulge in any act of violence against healthcare service personnel or cause any loss or damage to any property during the epidemic”.
The amendment makes acts of violence cognisable and non-bailable offences. Commission or abetment of such acts of violence shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of three months to five years, with fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 2,00,000. In case of causing grievous hurt, imprisonment shall be for a term six months to seven years with fine of Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000. In addition, the offender shall also be liable to pay compensation to the victim twice the fair market value for damage of property or the loss caused (as may be determined by the court), according to a PIB release.