NRIs, foreigners advised not to visit Vaishno Devi shrine

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 15

In the view of coronavirus outbreak, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has issued an advisory to NRIs, foreigners and other visitors not to visit the shrine for 28 days after landing in India as a precautionary measure.

Domestic visitors having symptoms such as cough, high fever and breathing problems have also been advised to reschedule or postpone their visit to the holy shrine. The advisories are also being issued on the multipurpose audio system throughout the track from Katra to Bhawan for creating awareness about coronavirus.

Additionally, mandatory and complete thermal scanning of all pilgrims at Tarakote, Banganga and helipad has been ensured. The cleaning of all establishments of the Board with disinfectants, at least four times a day is being done. Congregation points including queue complexes, waiting halls, accommodations, Attka area are regularly sanitised with disinfectants.

Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB, said dedicated Yatri Help Desks have been set up at Katra railway station, helipad, enquiry and reservation at Niharika complex, wherein self-declaration forms have been mandated for pilgrims visiting from the affected countries. He said a large number of advisory hoardings have been installed at all prominent places for general awareness of pilgrims visiting the shrine.

Kumar said as a preparatory and preventive step, all doctors and paramedics in the Shrine Board have been properly trained and sensitised to adopt necessary precautionary measures for pilgrims showing coronavirus-like symptoms.

To safeguard the staff and pilgrims, sufficient number of personal protection equipment such as masks, gloves, sanitisers etc. have been arranged and issued to different units of the Board.

Streets deserted, Sunday flea market shut for 2nd consecutive week

Srinagar: The effect of the coronavirus scare was clearly visible on the streets of Srinagar on Sunday. Major streets in Srinagar, including those in and around the commercial hub Lal Chowk, gave an almost deserted look. The famous flea market, where vendors set up carts from the Tourist Reception Centre up to Polo View, also remained shut for the second consecutive Sunday. People are avoiding visiting markets and other busy places in view of the prevailing health scare and positive Covid-19 cases being reported from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Many markets and malls are also seeing a decline in the number of shoppers as people are avoiding visiting places with high footfall. A mobile shop owner at Hari Singh High Street in Srinagar said: “The number of customers has dipped due to the coronavirus scare. Our business has been hit.” Many shopkeepers said their business had been hugely affected as there were no shoppers. TNS

‘Elderly more vulnerable’

The Doctors’ Association Kashmir (DAK) on Sunday said the elderly were more vulnerable to developing severe illness and death from the novel coronavirus that has so far killed at least 5,839 people and infected 1,56,885 worldwide. “If you are old, you are at a higher risk of having a severe disease and even death from the novel virus,” said DAK in a statement. Based on the data from the confirmed cases of the novel virus, the doctors’ association said about 80 per cent of the people who had died from the virus were above 60 years of age. “The highest death rate was in people over the age of 80 years,” they said, adding that: “Around 15 per cent of the people in this age group died from the disease.” TNS

MS suspended for disclosing suspected covid patient’s identity

Rajouri: Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Mohammed Nazir Sheikh on Saturday suspended the Medical Superintendent of Government Medical College and Associated Hospital, for disclosing the identity of the potential coronavirus patient. A middle-aged man with a travel history to Saudi Arabia had reported at Government Medical College and Associated Hospital (GMC&AH) with a complaint of fever and cold. He was kept in the isolation ward by the doctors as a suspected case of coronavirus. His samples were sent to the designated laboratory in Jammu for further diagnosis. Meanwhile, Dr Raghubir Singh, Medical Superintendent, GMC&AH, wrote to the in charge, hospital police post, to provide round-the-clock police protection and surveillance to the patient, whose name he mentioned in the letter. As the letter went viral on the social media, the Deputy Commissioner took cognisance of the matter and placed Dr Raghubir under suspension. He was attached with the office of the Chief Medical Officer till pending inquiry. “In a letter to the police post in charge, the Medical Superintendent, GMC&AH, has clearly mentioned the identity of the suspect, which is against the ruling of the apex court. The privacy of the patient is to be maintained,” the order read. The disclosure of the name of the suspected case has created panic among his relatives and the people of the area who met him after his return from Saudi Arabia, the order further said. As per the order, Dr Raghubir has also violated the Code of Ethics Regulations-2002 and the Charter of Patient Rights and Professional Conduct Rules of the Medical Council of India. The Deputy Commissioner has also directed the Principal, GMC, to make alternative arrangements for the Medical Superintendent so that the work at the GMC&AH does not suffer. — Shyam Sood

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