Restrictions to contain the spread of coronavirus continuedin Kashmir for the 38th consecutive day on Saturday, even as DivisionalCommissioner Pandurang K Pole appealed to the people to follow lockdownguidelines during the holy month of Ramzan, officials said.
The security forces have sealed off main roads in mostplaces in the valley and erected barriers at several other places to check theunwanted movement of the people and to enforce the lockdown, they said.
The administration has said the essential services,including healthcare, have been exempted from the restrictions, whileotherwise, only persons with valid movement passes are being allowed passage.
The declared containment or red zones across the valley havebeen sealed to ensure strict adherence to the standard operating procedure.
The markets across the valley were shut and public transportwas off the roads with only pharmacies and groceries allowed to open, theofficials said.
Educational institutions across Kashmir were closed, whileall public places, including gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants, wereshut down more than a week before the nationwide lockdown was announced byPrime Minister Narendra Modi.
While the prime minister announced the country-wide lockdownon the evening of March 24, the Union Territory administration here on March 22had announced a lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir till March 31 as part of itsefforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.
However, restrictions were first imposed in many parts ofthe valley on March 19 to contain the spread of the virus infection.
The measures were taken after the detection of the firstpositive case of coronavirus in the valley.
Meanwhile, the Kashmir divisional commissioner greetedpeople on the beginning of the holy month of Ramzan and appealed to them tostay home and follow the lockdown measures.
“In this holy month, we should pray to Allah to combatcoronavirus infection instantly so that the stranded life across the valleywill again come on track and also enhance the spirit of peace and harmonyacross Kashmir division,” Pole said in a statement issued here late Fridaynight.
He said in view of the coronavirus outbreak, the divisionaladministration has imposed lockdown for the safety of the general public andreligious leaders had also appealed to people to pray five times a day at homeduring the month of Ramzan so that the chain of coronavirus infection isbroken.
“Follow lockdown measures in letter and spirit, stayhome and adopt the health guidelines regarding coronavirus seriously besides,wash your hands properly before breaking fast, Pole said.
The total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir hasreached to 454, even as six patients have died and 109 have recovered. Morethan 65,000 people have been kept under surveillance, including those who areeither in government established quarantine facilities or in home isolation.
“Till date 65,722 travellers and persons in contactwith suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which include 6,162persons in home quarantine, including facilities operated by government, 260 inhospital quarantine, 340 in hospital isolation and 11,970 under homesurveillance. Besides, 46,985 persons have completed their surveillanceperiod,” the officials said.