Huge influx at Lakhanpur, Kathua placed in red zone
Our Correspondent
KATHUA, May 4
Taking no chances
Around 40,000 people, who had been stranded in different parts of the country since the lockdown was imposed, are expected to return home through Lakhanpur
AdvertisementFive testing booths have been established, especially for the incoming travellers, having the capacity to conduct 500-600 tests per day
A heavy influx of Jammu and Kashmir residents at Lakhanpur, the gateway to the UT, has forced the administration to put Kathua district in the red zone category.
Around 40,000 people, who had been stranded in different parts of the country since the lockdown was imposed, are expected to return home through Lakhanpur.
“The administration does not want to take any risk. We have started sampling for Covid and about 200 samples have been taken today,” Kathua Deputy Commissioner Om Parkash Bhagat said.
When asked why Kathua, which has seen zero positive case of virus so far, was converted into red zone, the DC said a large number of people are expected to enter J&K through Lakhanpur and if they ease the relaxation, Kathua residents might come in contact with some of them.
“More strictness would be implemented so that there is no spread in the district,” Bhagat said.
The DC also set into motion the process of mass sampling by inaugurating five testing booths at a separate building, designated as a dedicated testing facility for the incoming travellers.
He said the new testing facility can conduct 500-600 tests per day and will operate round the clock. Also, priority would be given to people of the Kathua district who are entering the UT.
