Puducherry govt bans insertion of handbills, pamphlets in newspapers

Puducherry banned insertion of pamphlets, advertisement materials or handbills in newspapers delivered at doorsteps of customers as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. The Collector said that the ban imposed under the Disaster Management Act 2005 and Epidemics Act 1897 is part of the measures that are taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Puducherry: The Puducherry government has banned insertion of pamphlets, advertisement materials or handbills in newspapers delivered at doorsteps of customers in the Union Territory as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

"The ban comes into force on Monday," a release from District Collector T Arun said.

The Collector said that the ban imposed under the Disaster Management Act 2005 and Epidemics Act 1897 is part of the
measures are taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

According to the release, it was feared that the pamphlets or handbills inserted in the newspapers could be a possible carrier of the virus and hence the ban.

Publications might ask the vendors and distributors to refrain from inserting handbills and notices.

"Provisions of the Disaster Management Act and Epidemics Act would be attracted if there was any violation," it said.

(PTI REPORT)