The administration has banned the open sale of street food in the district and mandated the wearing of face masks in view of the sharp spike in coronavirus cases over the last fortnight.

The Dhanbad administration has allowed only takeaway service at hotels and restaurants. Dhanbad subdivisional officer (SDO) Raj Maheshwaram said the decision to ban the sale of street food was because people were thronging outlets and flouting social distancing rules.

Maheshwaram said that no more than 50 people at weddings and 20 people at funerals would be allowed.

He added that movement would be restricted on roads between 9pm and 5am, except for medical reasons. Those aged above 65 years, children below eight years and pregnant women will not be permitted to step out of their homes unless there is a medical reason.

“At offices and public places, wearing face masks will be made mandatory. People have to maintain a distance of six feet with others,” he said.

Superintendent of police R. Ramkumar on Friday launched a campaign to enforce the rule on wearing face masks among vehicle drivers and others at Randhir Verma Chowk in the city. Dhanbad senior superintendent of police Akhilesh B. Verior had instructed the policemen to fine violators Rs 500.

The number of active cases has increased to 103 in the district with as many as 21 journalists, some doctors and even policemen, besides a JMM MLA, testing positive over the last one week.