Authorities on Saturday sealed 16 shops and realized over Rs 40,000 fine from shopkeepers and customers for violation of health guidelines to contain spread of COVID19.
An official said the violations included not wearing masks at public places and violating social distancing norms. Shopkeepers who had opened their shops against roaster were also fined.
The official said the district administration has deputed executive magistrates in several parts of Srinagar for monitoring compliance to COVID19 safety guidelines and taking action under law against violators within their territorial jurisdictions.
Executive magistrate, South Srinagar Peerzada Fayaz Ahmad Baba said over Rs 42,000 fine was realized from violators in south city for violation of the COVID19 protocol in public places on Saturday.
He said 16 shops were also sealed for non-compliance to the Standard Operating Procedure. The official said the fined charged ranged from Rs 100 to Rs 5,000.
The official said different teams from district administration were keeping vigil in the markets. “Several violators were warned earlier and asked to adhere to safety measures against spread of virus. Today, action under law was taken,” said another official.
Baba said increasing number of COVID19 cases was worrisome. “We found many people and business establishments violating safety protocols. We appeal them to not force district administration to re-impose lockdown,” he said.
He said some traders were found allowing customers to enter shops without wearing masks. “Such practices encourage violations of guidelines,” Baba said.
Some teams from district administration also visited markets at Lambert Lane, Kothibagh, Ghata Ghar (Clock Tower), Maisuma, Jawahar Nagar and adjacent markets.
Baba said in many other cases violators were not maintaining social distancing.
The markets in the summer capital Srinagar reopened partially on June 13, first time after the lockdown was imposed on March 20.
The administration had announced unlocking Srinagar after holding detailed discussion with all stakeholders including trade and business organizations.
The traders had assured administration that all SOPs will be strictly followed. Most stressed and mandatory SOPs included wearing masks and following social distancing norms, opening and closing business units as per roaster issued by authorities.
Social distancing – or ensuring minimal contact at a distance of no less than six feet with other people – has been repeatedly advised by medical experts as a key tactic in the war against the highly infectious novel coronavirus.
As on Saturday, the COVID19 outbreak in Srinagar has affected 1545 persons and 39 deaths.