The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday directed forcontinuation of agriculture operations in a controller manner besides allowingbi-annual movement of nomadic tribes in “small groups at a slowpace”.
However, the administration directed the deputycommissioners and district police heads for strict implementation ofrestrictions in all the 77 COVID-19 ‘Red Zones’ across the Union Territory.
Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam passed the directions ata high-level meeting which was convened here to discuss the strategy to beadopted for containment of COVID-19 keeping in view the recent spurt inpositive cases, an official spokesperson said.
A total of 224 perople 180 in Kashmir and 44 in Jammu — hadtested positive for coronavirus till Saturday evening. Of them, four had diedincluding three in the valley and one in Jammu.
To ensure that the rural economy is not affected,Subrahmanyam directed the DCs and SSPs to coordinate with Secretary Agriculturefor smooth continuation of agricultural and allied operations by the farmers intheir districts.
He asked for proper regulation of food grain mandis and alsoto notify temporary mandis, in addition to the already notified mandis, toavoid large gatherings of persons at one place.
Regarding the movement of Bakarwal community from Jammutowards higher reaches of Kashmir in search of greener pastures for theiranimals, the chief secretary directed DCs and SSPs to allow their movement in aregulated manner.
Only small groups at a slow pace should be allowed to move,he said.
To control the spread of coronavirus, he stressed on properregulation in Red Zones and a complete lockdown in the identified areas.
“District administration, in close coordination withdistrict police, should ensure that there is zero movement of people,” headded.
Subrahmanyam further directed the officials to undertakedoor-to-door surveys and extensive fumigation in all the Red Zones besidesearly issuance of operational guidelines for management of the Red Zones by theHealth Department so that chances of further spread of virus are minimised.
However, essential supplies are to be ensured in the RedZones and DCs should plan the deliveries so that people do not face anyinconvenience, he added.
Emphasising on sparing medical professionals, the chiefsecretary directed the DCs not to involve doctors and other staff for surveyrelated work as they have to perform medical duties and instead utilise otherstaff for such exercises.
He also asked them to promote usage of ‘Aarogya Setu’ app asan essential tool in the fight against COVID-19, the spokesperson said.
With regard to the immediate need of capacity enhancement,the chief secretary directed all DCs to increase the number of isolation andquarantine beds.