Restrictions on the movement and assembly of people inKashmir to contain the spread of coronavirus remained in force on Wednesday asthe number of COVID-19 positive cases in the union territory has surged to 55,officials said.
They said tight curbs have been put in place across thevalley to minimize the movement of the people in order to contain the spread ofthe infection.
Most of the roads in the valley have been sealed off andbarriers erected at several places by security forces to check the unwantedmovement of the people and to enforce the lockdown for containing the spread ofthe infection, the officials said.
The administration has asked the people to cooperate with itand warned of action against those violating prohibitory orders.
Several persons have been arrested across the valley in thepast few days as police have taken action against those violating prohibitoryorders.
The markets across the valley have been shut and publictransport off the roads with only pharmacies and groceries allowed to open, theofficials said.
Educational institutions across Kashmir have been closed,while all public places including gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants havebeen shut down more than a week before the nationwide lockdown announced by thePrime Minister.
While the Prime Minister announced the country-wide lockdownon the evening of March 24, the union territory administration here had onMarch 22 announced a lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir till 31 March as part ofits efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The administration said essential services includinghealthcare personnel have been exempted from the restrictions.
District administrations have put in place a mechanism toensure uninterrupted supplies and deliveries of essential services to thegeneral public. Essential commodities will be home-delivered to the residentsas part of the mechanism.
Restrictions were first imposed in many parts of the valleyon March 19 to contain the spread of the virus infection. The measures weretaken after a 67-year-old woman from Khanyar area of the city, who had returnedon 16 March from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah, tested positive forCOVID-19 infection.
The total number of positive cases in the union territoryhas gone up to 55 as six new cases were detected on Tuesday.
Two patients both from the valley — have succumbed, whiletwo one each Kashmir and Jammu — have recovered.
The administration on Tuesday declared 20 areas in Kashmiras red zones following detection of fresh cases of COVID-19 in the valley.
The 20 areas are in Bandipora, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Shopian,Srinagar and Budgam districts of Kashmir division.