Coronavirus: Kashmir under virtual lockdown as markets shut, public transport banned in Srinagar

Kashmir was put under virtual lockdown on Thursday as authorities scrambled through previous night to come up with a strategy to contain spre of coronavirus in valley, a day after a woman with travel history to Saudi Arabia tested positive for disease.

Public transport in Srinagar city, summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir Union territory, was ordered off ros, while markets were shut on orders of authorities.

steps were taken hours after a 67-year-old woman from Khanyar, who h returned on March 16 from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah, tested positive for COVID-19, officials said here.

As infected person was t placed under any quarantine or isolation upon her return, authorities h to seal off entire neighbourhood of Khanyar falling within 300 metres rius of affected patient's residence, officials said.

Several relatives of infected woman who h primary contact with her have been vised to undergo tests while ors, who might have h secondary contact with patient, have been asked to undergo self-isolation for two weeks.

In an effort to contain spre of infection in Srinagar district, ministration constituted and activated 21 medical teams for holding house-to-house inspections and collecting data in and around area where infected person resides, y said.

" medical teams went to all houses within 300 metres rius surrounding house of infected person and conducted relevant investigations to ascertain wher someone h come into contact with infected person," y ded.

officials said medical teams, each of which comprises three professionals including a doctor, were well-equipped with personal protective gear and items and diagstic equipment to ensure safe conduct of exercise and correct investigations.

Revenue and Srinagar Municipal Corporation officials assisted medical teams during exercise and magistrates were also part of efforts to ensure its smooth conduct.

ministration also conducted thorough sanitisation of entire area. Well-equipped teams of Srinagar Municipal Corporation went in and around disinfecting entire area.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary said exercise in area was being conducted based on global standard operating procedure in this matter and aim was to contain spre of infection.

Chaudhary urged all people, who might have come in contact with patient after her return from Saudi Arabia on Monday, to report at nearest health facility or contact control room.

"It's important that people who come in contact with coronavirus positive case(s) should immediately report to nearest health facility or our 24×7 control room," he said.

Regional Transport Officer Kashmir has imposed a ban on all forms of public transport within Srinagar city while also banning entry of any public transport vehicle from joining districts of summer capital.

Chaudhary said restrictions on movement and assembly of people was to prevent spre of virus.

" restrictions on public garings, assembly and movement in many areas are aimed at avoiding spre of any likely cases," he tweeted and urged people to cooperate.

deputy commissioner warned against any rumour mongering about coronavirus.

"Rumours and unverified information shared on social media will certainly attract strict action. Let's act like responsible citizens. Every information and visory will be shared officially," he said.

authorities have suspended train services on Banihal-Srinagar-Baramulla axis after reports of overcrowding of trains which was making screening of passengers difficult.

While educational institutions across Kashmir have alrey been closed, authorities in city have shut down almost all public places including gymnasiums, clubs and restaurants.

Most of 10 districts in valley have restrictions in place on assembly of four or more persons under Section 144 CrPC. 

Representational im