Coronavirus: Srinagar Authorities warn of strict action against those violating curbs

Restrictions to contain spre of coronavirus were intensified in declared red zones across Kashmir valley, with authorities warning of strict action against those violating prohibitory orders. Security forces have sealed off main ros in most places in valley and erected barriers at several or places to check unwanted movement of people and to enforce lockdown, officials said.

Only persons with valid passes were allowed to move, y ded. “re will be inward and outward movement of any person from areas declared red zones and people will stay in ir homes to ensure complete lockdown as restrictions have been intensified. Strict action will be taken against those who violate prohibitory orders,” y said.

y said curbs were intensified after chief secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam, directed all Deputy Commissioners and District Police hes for strict implementation of restrictions in all 77 Red Zones (areas reporting maximum cases) declared in Jammu and Kashmir.

chief secretary directed deputy commissioners to go for complete lockdown in such areas for containment of disease and ensure that re is zero movement of people, y ded.

total number of positive cases in union territory has risen to 245 -- out of which 197 were in Kashmir and 48 in Jammu. While four patients have died in Jammu and Kashmir, six have recovered. More than 51,000 people have been kept under surveillance including those who are eir in government established quarantine facilities or in home isolation.

“Till date, 51320 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 9153 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 433 in hospital quarantine, 235 in hospital isolation and 29718 under home surveillance. Besides, 11777 persons have completed ir 28-day surveillance period," officials said.

y said union territory has ramped up testing and was w testing at rate of 289 persons per one million of population. “Over 400 persons tested on Sunday alone. This may le to more positive cases or declaration of more areas as red zones, but it is t a cause for alarm,” officials said.

Meanwhile, markets across valley were shut and public transport was off ros with only pharmacies and groceries allowed to open, officials said. Educational institutions across Kashmir are closed, while all public places including gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants were shut down more than a week before nationwide lock down anunced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While Prime Minister anunced country-wide lockdown on evening of March 24, union territory ministration here h on March 22 anunced a lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir till 31 March as part of its efforts to curb spre of coronavirus. ministration said essential services including healthcare personnel have been exempted from restrictions. Restrictions were first imposed in many parts of valley on March 19 to contain spre of virus. measures were taken after detection of first positive case of coronavirus in valley.