Amid unprecedented rise in the no of coronavirus cases across Kashmir the government last Sunday announced several safety measures most of which being unworkable on ground are objectionable. While the schools were closed, the teachers were in a separate order intimated that they will be part of covid vaccination awareness teams in different areas for which the schedule will be finalised by revenue authorities in consultation with the authorities of school education department but at the same time teachers were also directed to start online classes immediately. While humanly it is not possible for teachers to simultaneously perform the twin jobs of covid vaccination awareness and as well as the online classes, the government could have involved panchayat representatives in villages and ward members in cities and towns with the covid vaccination awareness process. Though government has very rightly announced the closure of schools temporarily for 1-2 weeks, but asking people to wait for decisions on both attendance of teachers and as well coaching of students at the coaching centres is very strange and government owes explanations to the people over both the issues. Shutting down schools and asking people to wait on a similar decision on coaching of students at the coaching centres show that the government does not announce decisions even on covid safety measures with administrative wisdom and proper application of mind. Chaos and confusion gripping the people amid surge in covid-19 cases does not head to any dead in Kashmir end as the government does not break it’s silence either over the attendance of teachers in schools till the resumption of teaching in schools or on coaching of students at the coaching centres. While the coaching centres in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir are more overcrowded than even the markets of cities and towns, the government does not respond to the complaints about huge violation of social distancing at the coaching centres both in Srinagar city and towns in valley.
Mere clarification from the government on conflicting covid safety measures won’t reduce the increasing spread of the ongoing fresh strain of covid-19 pandemic but strong implementation of appropriate covid safety measures alone would bring down the increasing intensity of the fresh strain of the covid-19 pandemic. So an immediate review of the covid safety measures deserves immediate attention of the government for the purposes of a strong fight against the fresh strain of covid-19 pandemic.
Amid pronouncement of conflicting covid-19 safety measures the government has now come under sharp criticism from both the leaders of the political parties and as well as leaders of civil society groups for failing to demonstrate uniformity in the implementation of covid safety measures in Kashmir valley. Mere clarification from the government on conflicting covid safety measures won’t reduce the increasing spread of the ongoing fresh strain of covid-19 pandemic but strong implementation of appropriate covid safety measures alone would bring down the increasing intensity of the fresh strain of the covid-19 pandemic. So an immediate review of the covid safety measures deserves immediate attention of the government for the purposes of a strong fight against the fresh strain of covid-19 pandemic.
