Restrictions due to COVID-19 continue in Kashmir

Strict restrictions on movement and assembly of people in Kashmir were in place for 25th consecutive day on Sunday to contain spre of vel coronavirus pandemic, as deputy commissioners have been directed to enforce a round--clock lockdown in Valley, officials said.

y, however, said curbs were tightened across valley after Baseer Ahm Khan, viser to lieutenant goverr and incharge of coronavirus control efforts in Kashmir division, directed deputy commissioners to enforce 24/7 strict lockdown in ir respective districts.

Khan issued se directions while chairing a high-level meeting on Saturday to review arrangements and preparedness to combat dely coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Valley, officials said. viser directed deputy commissioners to plug all loopholes immediately and take strict action against those who try to violate lockdown.

Khan asked deputy commissioners to involve religious hes so that y can vise ir followers against holding any congregations and spre awareness about observing social-distancing rms to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Following directive, security forces sealed off main ros in most places in Valley and erected barriers at several or places to check unwanted movement of people, officials said.

Only persons with valid passes were allowed to move. markets across Valley were shut and public transport was off ros, with only pharmacies and groceries allowed to open, according to officials. 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 lockdown anunced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While Prime Minister anunced lockdown on March 24, union territory ministration h on March 22 declared it across Jammu and Kashmir till March 31 as part of its efforts to contain spre of pathogen. Restrictions were first imposed in many parts of valley on March 19 to contain spre of dely infection after detection of first positive case in Valley.

number of COVID-19 cases in union territory has risen to 224, out of which 180 were in Kashmir and 44 in Jammu. Four have died, while six recovered. More than 48,000 people have been kept under surveillance. government has marked 77 red zones - 12 in Jammu and 65 in Kashmir for containing COVID-19 and tracking suspects at earliest.