Srinagar
Curfew-like restrictions continued for the eighteen consecutive day in Kashmir on Sunday to stop the movement of people in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus which has infected 12,03,485 people and killed 5 64,784 people across the world.
The markets across all districts of Kashmir valley remained closed and roads also remained blocked with concertina wires and manned by the police. Most mosques and shrines were shut to avoid large gatherings for congregational prayers.
The lockdown began on Thursday, a day after the first case tested positive in Srinagar. Only the people associated with essential services were allowed to move after checking their identity cards.
Educational institutions across Kashmir have already been closed, while all public places including gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants have been shut down.
On Tuesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a national lockdown from midnight on March 24 for 21 days.
“From 12 midnight, the whole country will go on lockdown. To save India, to save all citizens of India, to save you and your family, there will be a total ban on stepping out of home,” he had said.
As of now, J&K has reported 94 cases, of which two persons have died while two have recovered. As many as 73 cases have been reported in the Kashmir division while 21 cases were reported from Jammu.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 94 positive cases, 88 are Active Positive, 04 have recovered and 02 have died.
Furthermore, till date 28545 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which includes 10606 persons in-home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 682 in Hospital Quarantine, 86 in hospital isolation and 12795 under home surveillance. Besides, 4376 persons have completed their 28 days surveillance period.
The Bulletin further said that till date 1397 samples have been sent for testing of which 1250 have tested as negative, and 55 reports are awaited till April 04, 2020.
