To further contain the spread of coronavirus especially in the worst affected areas of Kashmir valley, the Union Territory administration on Wednesday announced complete lockdown in all nine red districts except Bandipora of Kashmir division from Wednesday evening till 6.00 am on July 27. These preventive measures were taken by the administration to restrict movement of local residents ahead of Eid-ul-Adha on August 1.
Meanwhile, 453 fresh cases of coronavirus were detected while ten more deaths of covid-19 patients were reported from Kashmir division on Wednesday. The total tally of coronavirus patients stood at 15,711. The total number of active positive cases in Srinagar has crossed 2,100 mark. On Wednesday 165 fresh cases were detected in Srinagar, followed by 62 cases from Kulgam and 58 from Baramulla.
In Jammu division also, District Magistrate, Samba, Rohit Khajuria on Wednesday ordered complete lockdown in Samba and Baribrahmana tehsils from July 23 to July 26. The situation remained grim in Rajouri district as 47 fresh cases were detected on Wednesday.
Responding to the concerns of the local population ahead of Eid celebrations, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandurang. Pole said that the markets shall remain open for three days from July 28 to July 30 to facilitate hassle-free purchase of sacrificial animals and other necessary items.
Chairing a meeting to review Eid arrangements, he also directed all Deputy Commissioner’s of Kashmir to establish sale centres where people can purchase the sacrificial animals with proper Covid-19 protocol.
He said custodians of masjids, shrines and khankahas shall be allowed to carry out cleaning of religious structures during these three days as a religious formality, but no gathering shall be allowed at these places.