Restrictions on public movement, non-essential activities to continue till further orders in Srinagar

SRINAGAR The Srinagar administration has said that restrictions on public movement and nonessential activities as ordered on May 31 will continue to remain enforced till further orders. It has asked the general public to ensure strict adherence to the order which prohibits all non-essential movement and activities in the district. It has directed for strict action against violations and cautioned that non-permitted activities will attract strict legal proceedings against them. It is notable that the May 31 order permits only essential services to operate and prohibits all other activities in the district. The order added more essential services to the list of permissible activities from June 1 than were allowed to operate prior to this date. The decision was taken after extensive consultations with experts and stakeholders and trainings of service operators. The administration has said that another review of the situation and another round of consultations with different wings of the district administration and the law enforcement agencies as well as experts and stakeholders will be held on the evening of June 8. It said a decision for future course of action will be taken based on these consultations and suggestions as elicited therefrom. Meanwhile the restrictions will remain enforced and all non-essential and nonpermitted activities will be disallowed. The administration has directed the concerned agencies for strict action against violators. The district administration said that its main priority and focus remains containment of COVID-19 disease in the district adding that recent developments of spike of cases in J&K has deepened this focus. It said that a comprehensive strategy is being worked out to contain spread of this dangerous disease adding that efforts in this regard are being made at multiple levels. The latter includes formulating SOPs as per latest guidelines at the global and national levels and their regular updation. It also includes efforts of reaching out to all different sections and sectors across the district in efforts to sensitise the people about the importance of adhering to the said SOPs and guidelines to contain spread of this disease while going about their lives and operations. Regular discussions with healthcare experts of the district are also afoot. The aim is to be up to date not just in terms of knowledge and awareness but also adjustments that need to be made at the healthcare level to deal with this toughening challenge.