With spike, restrictions return in J&K

Tribune News Service

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Jammu, July 18

After a fresh surge in positive cases and deaths due to Covid-19 in the Union Territory (UT), the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Government is bringing back a number of coronavirus-related restrictions in an attempt to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

• Also read: Positive Covid-19 cases cross 13K in J&K; 5 deaths in Valley

It has also decided to take legal action against road travellers if they skip the compulsory registration for Covid-19 sampling while moving from one division to another or entering J&K from outside.

In the current month alone, over 5,700 positive cases and 135 deaths have been reported so far. J&K has recorded a total of 13,198 positive cases and 236 deaths till date.

Indu Kanwal Chib, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, has announced a number of restrictions in view of the resurgence of cases. Curbs have also been announced on inter-district travel.

She has ordered that all markets in the district would open at 11 am and close at 5 pm from July 20 in view of the spike in adjacent districts. “More so markets shall stay closed every Saturday and Sunday, starting next week,” she said.

The Samba district administration has also decided to keep all shops, except essential ones, closed on every Sunday starting from July 19. A complete lockdown has been imposed in Vijaypur tehsil following the spike in cases.

Similar restrictions have already been imposed in Rajouri district where a major spike in cases has been reported in the last fortnight. The district administration has reimposed lockdown in certain areas, curbing unnecessary movement of people. It has, however, decided to open chemist shops in a regulated odd-even manner.

The Udhampur district administration has imposed restrictions on the movement of day picnickers to famous hill resort, Patnitop. People with confirmed hotel booking would only be allowed to visit Patnitop.

In Kashmir Valley, the government has already reimposed lockdown in Srinagar district which has become the major hotspot in the UT. Central Kashmir’s Budgam district administration has imposed fresh restrictions for five days.