Srinagar: Cautioning that Srinagar could emerge as third wave hotspot if Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) are not followed properly, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Mohammad Aijaz Asad said Magisterial flying squads have been constituted to conducted inspection at different locations.
He said with consistently reporting highest of the daily COVID-19 cases among all districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Asad feared that the district might emerge as a virus hotspot in a possible 3rd wave of the pandemic.
In wake of surge in daily cases of Covid-19 in few areas of Srinagar district, the District Administration have heightened their efforts to make sure Covid-19 SoPs and guidelines are strictly followed throughout the district.
Accordingly, Magisterial flying squads constituted by the District Administration conducted inspection of various checkpoints at different locations of Srinagar including Bemina, Batamaloo, Lal Chowk and other adjoining areas during which 13 persons were detained for not wearing masks and violating the Covid-19 guidelines imposed throughout Srinagar.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner Aijaz Asad appealed to the people of Srinagar to exhibit strict compliance to the government directions for larger public safety and health and follow COVID-19 related advisories and guidelines including use of Face Masks, maintaining Social Distancing.
He also appealed to traders and transporters to cooperate with district administration and strictly follow Covid-19 SOPs and precautions to control the Covid-19 infection.
He said Covid-19 pandemic is not yet over and we are at the stage where adopting Covid-19 Appropriate Behaviour is paramount to avoid the expected danger of 3rd wave of Covid -19 pandemic as predicted by health experts.
The DC said that anybody found without a mask in public places shall have to face strict action besides depositing fine as prescribed under Rules.
The Srinagar administration has now notified 27 areas of the district as containment zones, where barricades have been erected at the entry and exit points to curb the movement of the general public.
The rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the city can be attributed to the gross violation of COVID-19 guidelines, including during government, political functions and sports events, which has been witnessing huge gatherings. These events are being held despite a cap of 25 people imposed by the administration on indoor and outdoor activities in the Union Territory.
This could pose a serious threat as it comes at a time when the administration is planning to reopen High, Higher Secondary Schools, colleges and universities in the UT. The administration last week in an order, said that classes for the 10th and 12th standard will be permitted with limited in-person teaching not exceeding 50 per cent on any given day for those students and staff who have been vaccinated.
According to official data Kashmir valley reported 1215 fresh COVID-19 cases between September 1 and September 13. Out of these, 687 cases were recorded in Srinagar alone. “The city has witnessed a major chunk of fresh cases in the last fortnight. Most of the above mentioned events are being held without adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. People are not wearing masks and maintaining social distances,” official sources said.
UNI
