Coronavirus scare: JK continues to be under lockdown
Srinagar: Strict restrictions on movement and assembly of people continued for the third consecutive day on Saturday in Kashmir to contain the spread of the new coronavirus that has infected one person in the valley, officials said.
They said adequate security forces have been deployed and barricades have been put up at several places in Srinagar. Only government and essential services employees with valid identity cards, mediapersons, and people with health emergency were allowed to move on streets, they added.
Police asked people to stay indoors and maintain social distancing through public address systems.
Most markets across the valley were shut, public transport was off roads and train services were suspended. Educational institutes and public places such as gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants have been shut down.
Reports said that concertina wires and other barricades were erected across many streets including those in old city here to impede the public movement. At some areas, paramilitary forces placed vehicle on intersections including Alamgari Bazar, Hawal and Gojwara to enforce the ban. However, government and essential services employees have been allowed to move on streets, they added.
Police also made announcement asking people to stay indoors and maintain social distancing through public address systems.
The restrictions, under section 144CrPC, were imposed immediately after a 67-year-old woman, who returned from Saudi Arabia, tested positive for coronavirus on March 18, making her the first and only case of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, two private schools were sealed, while 10 drivers were booked in Rajouri and Samba districts for allegedly flouting government orders aimed at containing the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, officials said on Saturday.
A team of revenue and police officers found a school at Bari Brahmana in Samba open with about 50 faculty members, students and other staff in clear violation of orders regarding complete closure of all educational institutions, according to the officials.
The inspecting team cleared the congregation and advised them to remain in houses till further orders and sealed the school building, the officials said.
Civil authorities and police also seized a school at Nowshera in Rajouri for violation government orders, the officials said.
Ten drivers — six in Manjakote, two each in Rajouri and Kotranka — were booked for plying their vehicles despite suspension of all modes of public transport by the district magistrate, the officials said.
Normal life came to a standstill across Jammu region following series of advisories issued by the government over the past week as part of the efforts to control the spread of the deadly COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).
The government has imposed prohibitory orders across Jammu region, banning assembly of five or more people, closed all educational institutions and shops and business establishments, barring those dealing with essential items like grocery and medicines, and suspended public transport till March 31. (PTI)
Press Trust of India
