Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 2 : Asserting that there would be zero tolerance against violation of COVID guidelines, including wearing masks and maintaining social distance, in J&K, Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta on Wednesday said that one has the right to put others’ lives in danger.
The administration from Monday gave some relaxation in the month-long COVID curfew imposed to curtail the spread of coronavirus in Kashmir valley, where shops and business establishments have been allowed to open on rotational basis while public traffic, with 50 per cent seat capacity, has been allowed to ply on the roads.
After a month-long ‘COVID curfew’ imposed to curtail the spread of COVID-19, shops and business establishments reopened on Monday in Kashmir valley, including summer capital, Srinagar. However, the markets were again closed on Tuesday in the summer capital, Srinagar, as shops and business establishments have been allowed to open only for two days in a week on rotational basis.
“There will be zero tolerance on non-adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour. No one has the right to put others lives in danger,” Mehta said.Class work also remained suspended as educational institutes -- including schools, colleges, universities and private coaching centres -- have been directed to remain closed till June 15 in the valley. The suspension of train service between Baramulla in north Kashmir and Banihal in Jammu region has also been extended till June 9The administration -- including Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole and deputy commissioners of the districts -- have been appealing to the public to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.
Asserting that COVID curfew was eased to give relief to people from restrictions despite above 5 per cent positivity rate in most districts of the valley, Mr Pole urged people to follow the guideline and get vaccinated to avoid another lockdown.Mr Pole said that the tough decision was taken for people, however, public also must cooperate and maintain appropriate COVID-19 behaviour religiously to contain spread of the virus.
The Div Com appealed to the people in general and shopkeepers, public transporters and traders to ensure adherence to COVID guidelines in letter and spirit.
An order issued by the Nodal officer, COVID Mitigation Operations, Srinagar read that markets having shops on both sides of the road shall open on rotational basis with business establishments on one side remaining open and the other side remaining closed on Mondays and Thursdays.
Similarly markets having shops on only one side shall be allowed to open odd number shops on Mondays and even number on Thursdays. Standalone shops, barber shops, salons and beauty parlors can open on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
It further said that 25 per cent of the shops inside a shopping mall shall be allowed to operate on a given day. Though, it was not clarified whether they can open the shops on all days or only on Mondays and Thursdays.
“Public transport with 50 per cent seat capacity will be allowed ply on all roads expect Saturday and Sunday due to weekend curfew,” it said.
All cinema halls, multiplexes, clubs, gyms, spas and paid parks would also remain closed till further orders in the valley, where weekend and night curfew would continue.
On April 29, the Jammu and Kashmir administration imposed curfew in 11 districts to curtail the spread of COVID-19, which was subsequently extended to all the 20 districts in the Union Territory the next day. The curfew that was supposed to end on May 3 was extended in Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla and Jammu till May 6.
However, the Deputy Commissioners of the remaining seven districts in the valley extended the lockdown till May 6 separately. The COVID curfew was later extended till May 10 and then till May 17. The lockdown was again extended till May 24 and then till May 31 morning by the administration.
|
