Government announces strict 4-day lockdown in Kashmir

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday announced the re-imposition of week-long lockdown across Kashmir valley, except Bandipora district, commencing from July 22 evening.

The lockdown will remain in force till July 27 morning, in view of alarming increase in COVID-19 positive cases and the number of deaths thereof in valley; however the government in its order said that the decision to relax the curbs, will be taken on the basis of improvement in situation related to the pandemic, which is turning uglier with every passing day.

As of now as many as 15,000 persons have tested positive in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 260 patients have died; however a little above 8,000 have also recovered from the disease.

Concerned over the spike in the number of cases testing positive and rising number of deaths, government announced the fresh lockdown on Wednesday, with a view to put a halt on the spread of the pandemic.

The fresh lockdown order states that to break the further transmission of COVID-19, it has become imperative to take a stringent precautionary measures by completely restricting the movement of people in all Red Zones of Kashmir division, excluding Bandipora district, adding that Agriculture and Horticulture will continue according to DDMA guidelines, only movement that will be allowed unhindered is of goods carriers carrying LPG and oil tankers.

The restriction will remain imposed from Wednesday evening till 6 AM on July 27.

Meanwhile, officials said that the decision about any relaxation during the lockdown will be taken only after assessing the improvement in the situation.