The surge in COVID-19 positive cases across Baramulla district has prompted the administration in Baramulla to declare several areas as “micro containment zones”.
However, non-implementation of COVID-19 SOPs on the ground might worsen the pandemic.
As per the officials of the Department of Health, Baramulla district has more than 280 active positive cases, the second-highest after Srinagar.
The surge in the positive cases is being seen as alarming as people do not adhere to the SOPs announced by the administration.
“People at large do not adhere to the government-announced measures to curb the spread of the virus,” said Muhammad Akram, a local. “People need to realise that non-compliance of SOPs was like inviting trouble.”
Even the areas declared by the administration as “micro containment zones” are witnessing a violation of SOPs.
“Although the administration has declared several areas as containment zones, lack of administrative measures to implement the SOPs on the ground has made the containment zones ineffective,” said Muhammad Ashraf, of KhawajaBagh, Baramulla where Jetty Colony was recently designated as a “micro-containment zone”.
Similar reports are coming from other areas declared as “micro-containment zones” by the administration.
The locals from these areas said that they fear that if the authorities do not take measures to implement the SOPs seriously, then the situation might become “explosive”.
Fayaz Ahmad of SaloosaKreeri that was declared a “micro-containment zone” a week ago said that several persons in the area tested positive for the virus.
However, he said no attempt was being made to contain the spread of the virus.
Ahmad said that, as per the “micro-containment zone” order, there would be a strict lockdown and tight perimeter control in the designated area besides no movement whatsoever in and out of the containment zone except essential services and medical emergency.
However, the situation on the ground is different.
“The transport services in the designated area are functioning normally. The passengers are seen travelling in commercial vehicles in the containment zone without masks. The gathering of people continues in these areas despite government-announced curbs,” Ahmad said.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Bhupinder Kumar said that the violation of SOPs in any containment zone would be dealt with strictly.
“Besides J&K Police, the district officials have been tasked to ensure the implementation of SOPs. If there is any report of non-implementation of SOPs, then strict action will follow,” he said.