Buyers do not need to give fingerimpressions on Point of Sale (PoS) machines at Public Distribution System (PDS) shops in view of the coronavirus threat, the Maharashtra government said on Tuesday.The highly contagious virus spreads through physical contact with contaminated surfaces, according to experts."The beneficiaries need not give finger impressions on (Aadhar-enabled) E-PoS machines at ration shop. It will help avoid spread of virus infection," Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said.He also instructed officials and shop owners to take measure to avoid crowding at shops.Buyers can be given tokens and allotted time slots for making purchases instead of making them queue up, the minister said. If queues are formed, it should be ensured that people stand at appropriate distance from each other, he added.Maharashtra has reported one coronavirus-linked death while 40 other persons have tested positive for Covid-19.
