Coronavirus: Restrictions in Kashmir Valley tightened

Restrictions on the movement and assembly of people inKashmir to contain the spread of coronavirus were tightened on Sunday a dayafter 14 cases the highest increase in a single day — were detected in thevalley, the officials said.

Security forces sealed off the main roads in the valley anderected barriers at several places to check the unwanted movement of the peopleand to enforce the lockdown, the officials said.

   

The markets across the valley were shut and public transportwas off the roads with only pharmacies and groceries allowed to open, theyadded.

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 lock down announced bythe Prime 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.

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 officials said authorities have started an aggressivecontact tracing campaign across the union territory to contain the spread ofthe infection.

Nearly 2000 contacts of positive cases have been identified,they said, adding no known contact would be left untraced.

A total of 17 new cases of COVID-19 positive were detectedin Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday which included three from Jammu region. Withthe spike, the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir has gone upto 92.

Two patients have died, while three others have recoveredfrom the disease.

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