COVID-19: Restrictions to continue in Srinagar till May 20

Complete restrictions on the public movement, business operation and other non-essential activities till May 20, was imposed by the Srinagar district administration on Monday. Jammu and Kashmir have so far reported 701 cases, of which 406 are active positive, 287 have recovered and 8 have died.

Srinagar:The Srinagar district administration on Monday announced that the restrictions placed in the city following the outbreak of COVID-19 will continue till May 20.

"The step has been taken in view of the prevailing health situation in the district. There will be complete restrictions on the public movement, business operation and other non-essential activities till May 20," District Development Commissioner (DDC) Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told ETV Bharat.

He asserted that the large part of the district is notified as either COVID-19 containment or red zone thus it becomes imperative all ongoing restrictions must be extended.

However, according to DDC, there will be relaxation for people associated with essential services.

"As in the past, the essential services will be allowed to operate with movement passes issued by the administration as per the requirement. There will be strict action against anyone found misusing the pass," Dr Choudhary said, adding that the restrictions on movement have further being tightened in red zones and the violators will attract strict proceedings and action under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and Section 51 of National Disaster Management Authority Act (Punishment for obstruction of order).

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced a complete restriction on the movement of the people from 7 pm to 7 am from today onwards.

"Prohibitions (Curfew) on movement in all areas between 7 pm and 7 am. No movement without passes. Medical emergencies exempted," Jammu and Kashmir government spokesman Rohit Kansal said in a tweet.

This comes two days after the Central government broadly divided 733 districts of India into Red Zones, Orange Zones and Green Zones. The zone classification will determine the kind of restrictions placed on the movement of people and the supply of goods in a district.

According to the government, this zone classification is dynamic and will be revised every week and easing of restrictions will be the call of the district administration based on the prevailing situation.

On Sunday, the state government classified 13 districts of Jammu and Kashmir as Red zones.

According to the government order, all ten districts of Kashmir province and three districts - Jammu, Kathua, Samba of Jammu province have been categorised as Red zones. Reasi, Udhampur, Ramban and Rajouri are placed in Orange zone while Doda, Kishtwar and Poonch are in the Green Zone.

Jammu and Kashmir have so far reported 701 cases, of which 406 are active positive, 287 have recovered and eight have died.