Srinagar: Ignoring calls to avoid assemblies, the residents in many parts of Srinagar on Thursday resorted to panic buying amid a scare over novel coronavirus disease.
News agency GNS reported that people in large numbers visited shops and petrol pumps in many parts of Srinagar to stock food items and fuel.
Reports of people crowding grocery and general stores were received from many other parts of Srinagar even as Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary assured the administration will ensure effective services and supplies.
His assurance came amid restrictions imposed on the movement of people in several areas of Srinagar, a day after a 67-year-old woman from Khanyar, who had travelled outside the country, tested positive for Coronavirus.
“Restriction imposed in #Srinagar city for containment of any likely spread of #Coronavirus. Medical teams are following SOP. There will be initial problems for a day or so. Adm will ensure effective services & supplies. Pl stay at home. Contact District Control Room for any help,” Choudhary tweeted.
In a series of tweets, the Deputy Commissioner urged people to cooperate, underlining that the restrictions on public gatherings, assembly and movement in many areas are aimed at avoiding the spread of any likely cases of covid-19. “Pl (please) cooperate,” he said.
He also urged all residents who might have come in contact with the COVID-19 positive case in Srinagar to report to their nearest health facilities or contact control room at 2457552 or 2457543 or 9419028251 or 9419028242 or 9419014723.”This is urgent and cannot be ignored,” he said.
Chouldhary also shared a tweet of Dr Parvaiz Koul, Physician-cum-Researcher, presently working at SKIMS: “Avoid visiting hospitals and unnecessary stretching of facilities. Stay home as far as possible and practice routine hygiene measures (cough etiquette, hand wash, social distancing). Avoid crowds..no mubarak or taziyat (phone call should do). Seems we are in for a long haul.”
