The situation has become scary in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Kupwara districts amid the surge in the number of Covid19 cases in the past few days.
The authorities in Baramulla district have imposed strict restrictions on the gathering of people in marriage functions and other ceremonies.
On Friday, 36 cases were reported from Baramulla taking the total number of cases so far to 1251 out of which 707 cases are active.
“It has become necessary to implement restrictions in the Baramulla town according to SOPs,” reads an order issued by President Municipal Council Baramulla.
As per the order, the authorities have decided to allow gathering of only eight guests during any function or marriage.
The shops and other business establishments continue to remain closed for the past five days as per the orders of Deputy Commissioner G N Itoo. The shops were closed to carry out fumigation of the market and shop fronts in the town and other areas.
“Besides fumigation of the shop fronts and the surroundings, the main motive behind closure of shops is to control the public rush in the markets witnessed in the past few days. Customers as well as shopkeepers were not following SOPs, so there was a need to take such steps,” an official said.
The Traders Federation also held a meeting with district administration Baramulla hours before the closure of shops and business establishments was extended up to Sunday.
“These measures are being taken for the safety of our lives. We will not prefer to earn by putting our lives at risk,” said general secretary Traders Federation Baramulla, Tariq Ahmad Magloo.
The district administration Kupwara has re-imposed restrictions on the movement of public transport and opening of shops in the district for three days from July 12 to July 14.
As per an order issued by district magistrate Kupwara, all the shops in the district including town areas of Kupwara, Handwara and Langate shall remain closed for three days from July 12 to July 14.
“The roasters for opening of shops issued by the administration and by the executive magistrates for their respective jurisdictions shall also remain suspended during the period,” the order reads.
As per the order, there shall be complete restriction on movement of public transport, including SUVs and MUVs as well.