Action will be taken against those revealing identity of coronavirus patients: Pune police

PUNE: Pune police and its cyber team have announced that actions will be taken against those people revealing identity of coronavirus patients.

Divisional commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar said, “The police have been asked to monitorsocial media platforms through their cyber cell to make sure that no rumours are spread and the identity of patients should not be revealed.”

"So, there is a need to be more socially concerned about these issues. We have been making appeals since day one, but despite that, some people are spreading wrong and misleading information on social media, and we have received one such complaint," he added.

A relative of a patient affected with COVID-19 had filed a complaint in this regard.

The identity of the patient was revealed through social media after which the family was facing social boycott, according to reports.

So far 11 cases of COVID-19 infection have been reported in Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, 11 people were arrested in Mizoram for spreading fake news on coronavirus infection mainly through WhatsApp.

The 11 were arrested on Tuesday after a suo-moto case was file by Mizoram police, said Inspector general of police (headquarters) John Neihlaia . A case under Section 505 (1)(b) (intent to cause fear or alarm to the public) was filed against them. They were then later released on bail. The fake news claimed that a woman who had returned from Singapore was put under houe isolation after she refused to get admitted to a hospital. Later, an investigation revealed that the woman who had returned from Singapore was screened twice—first at Kolkata airport and then again at Lengpui airport. In both cases she did not show any symptom related to the virus.

It is worth noting that all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure, informed the Ministry of Health. Many major airlines will feel the impact of the order. Some are even planning reducing frequency of flights or cancellation of flights to or from India, claim reports.

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