SRINAGAR: The District Disaster Management Authority, Srinagar after a detailed review of Red Zones and comprehensive analysis of COVID containment efforts therein approved removal of perimeter restrictions from 13 Containment Zones qualifying under the lad down guidelines.
District Magistrate, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary informed that perimeter restrictions involving blockade of roads and lanes in periphery of such containment zones have been removed for public convenience pursuant to containment efforts yielding desired results.
It is pertinent to mention here that the lockdown is in force till 31st May 2020 and restrictions already notified are in place for said period. The removal of perimeter restrictions is aimed at opening of roads and lanes which were closed pursuant to declaration of the areas as Red Zones. The DDMA is holding active deliberations with stakeholders for further steps to be notified and greater involvement of public.
The areas where perimeter restrictions has been removed include erstwhile Red Zones Khayam, Natipora, Chhatabal, Jawahar Nagar, Hakah Bazar Hawal, Alamdar Colony, Boatman Colony Bemina, Ahmed Nagar, Tengpora bypass, Watal Kadal, Takanwari, Brein Nishat and Goripora. The district continues with 23 Containment (Red) Zones.
The Zonation of areas will continue to be a dynamic process and any area can be further declared as Red Zone with detection of cases. More than 13,000 tests have been conducted in District Srinagar and door-to-door health survey has covered nearly 87% population.
The district administration earlier last month constituted 25 Zonal Committees to ensure uninterrupted essential services and supplies in Red Zones. Several officers were stationed locally to oversee local issues. Local residents were actively involved in several areas for implementation of Containment Zone guidelines notified by the administration.
DDMA Srinagar has appealed the public to adopt and promote social distancing, personal hygiene and mandatory use of mask in public places. A series of informative bulletins through electronic media are being regularly released and training of service providers in several sectors is underway.
