Srinagar: Summer capital Srinagar is continuously witnessing unabated violations of COVID19 safety guidelines at a time when experts have ‘warned’ about the threat of a third wave of virus.
Most of the commuters, shoppers and other people could be seen roaming at public places without wearing a facemask.
The social distancing could also be seen being violated at public places and in public transport.
In his appeal to people for following SoPs, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Muhammad Aijaz Asad has earlier said that violation of COVID19 safety guidelines would be an “invitation to third wave of virus”.
Shoppers in the congested city markets could be seen without facemasks while several shopkeepers also don’t use the masks.
“It is really a worrying trend. On one hand people expect authorities to take appropriate measures to avoid or minimize threat of a predicted third wave of virus and on another hand are themselves violating SoPs,” said Farhan Fayaz of Rajbagh, while pointing out at commuters roaming without putting on facemasks.
He said that defeating the pandemic is a collective responsibility of the people and violations can prove disaster.
“People have to understand that by violating COVID19 safety guidelines, they are not only endangering their own lives but putting public health at risk. We all need to act responsibly,” Fayaz said.
A group of commuters said that passengers travelling in public transport are also violating SoPs and no social distancing was being maintained.
“Civil and police administration have been imposing fines on violators from time to time. But due to non-cooperation, the violations have increased as is evident in city markets and public transport,” said a commuter.
An expert said that negligence as people demonstrate in markets, roads and public transport can “prove a disaster”. “It may also hasten the arrival of the predicted third wave of virus,” he said.
An official said that special teams have been set up to check the violations and to take legal action against violators.
After a recent decline, Srinagar district has witnessed the highest number of positive COVID19 cases among other districts in recent past weeks.