Jammu: The government has lifted weekend curfew from six more districts in J&K while permitting opening of all outdoor shops, shopping malls and restaurants for the customers who have been vaccinated or have negative RT-PCR test report.
The weekend curfew has been lifted from Poonch, Rajouri, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam and Pulwama districts following the assessment of the covid situation.
“A detailed review of the current covid situation in J&K was conducted by the Chief Secretary, J&K with the Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Principal Secretary, Home, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, SSPs and other officers of the UT,” reads an order issued by the Chief Secretary who is also the Chairperson of State Executive Committee, Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.
“There shall be no weekend curfew in these districts. However, daily night curfew will continue to exist from 8pm to 7am. Concerned District Magistrates shall issue orders under CrPC to this effect,” the order reads.
Meanwhile, all the outdoor shops are permitted to open on all days only from 7 am till 7 pm. The market associations will have to fully cooperate with the local administration in ensuring strict compliance to the covid appropriate behaviour.
“All the shops in the indoor shopping complexes/malls can open only for the consumers who are vaccinated or for customers with a negative RT-PCR or RAT report of 48 hours prior. The owners, staff and managers of the establishments will have to ensure compliance to it. The District Magistrates shall strictly enforce this measure,” the order states.
Besides, the indoor sports complexes are also permitted to open at 50 percent of its total capacity for persons vaccinated/persons with valid negative report for covid. The swimming polls will continue to remain closed.
“Paid public parks are also permitted to open only for the vaccinated public,” the order reads.
Meanwhile, the State Executive Committee has ordered a continued weekend curfew from Friday 8 pm till Monday 7 am and daily night curfew from 8 pm till 7 am in the rest of the districts. “All outdoor shops and bazaars are permitted to open on five days in a week except Saturdays and Sundays. 25 percent of the shops in indoor shopping complexes/malls can open subject to a roster to be issued by the concerned Deputy Commissioners,” the order says.
As far as passengers, returnees or travelers coming to J&K are concerned, the order says that they will have to compulsorily undergo a covid antigen test.
“The travelers carrying valid and verifiable negative RT-PCR reports of 48 hours prior from a recognized testing facility shall be permitted to enter without re-test at the entry point. This shall also apply to the pilgrims coming for Shrine Vaishno Devi, Katra,” the order says.