SRINAGAR: District Magistrate, Kathua O.P Bhagat, on Wednesday ordered Weekend Lockdown (restrictions) in the district starting from July 31, 2020, as a Covid-19 control measure.
The order issued by the District Magistrate, vide powers conferred upon him under section 144 of CrPC read with section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, states that “There shall be complete restriction on movement of individuals, vehicles and all activities within the jurisdiction of district Kathua, except the movement for emergency medical requirements, from 5 pm on all Fridays till 6 am on all Mondays, beginning from the Friday falling on 31-7-2020.”
The order stated that “Based on extensive consultation with Chief Medical Officer, Kathua, epidemiologist and other health professionals, it has been observed that strict social distancing norms during the week days and strict lockdown during weekends need to be followed to prevent any further spike in the COVID-19 cases.”
The order also contains certain directions stating that only local Chemist, milk, curd and cheese sale counters, vegetables/fruits sale points shall remain open for community need as per the office order issued vide no. DCK/ Disaster/2020-21/2192-2212 dated 13-07-2020.
As per the order, the government employees of essential services departments (including Medical Services) or such other departments, as required by the government, will be permitted to move on the production of ID proofs.
“No curfew pass etc., shall be issued and there shall be no restriction on the movement of goods carriers/Oil/LPG tankers,” it stated further.
“Any violation of this order shall invite punitive action under section 188 of Indian Penal Code and other relevant provisions of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and the Disaster Management Act, 2005” the order states further.
