Cap on indoor/outdoor gatherings stays at 25
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 25: The Government today lifted weekend curfew from entire Jammu and Kashmir but ordered that night curfew will remain in force in all 20 districts of the Union Territory from 8 pm to 7 am.
An order to this effect was issued today by Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, who also happens to be the Chairperson State Executive Committee (SEC).
While there was already no weekend curfew in 16 districts, it was today lifted from rest of four districts of the Union Territory. Weekend curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir in April end as COVID positive cases had started surging during second wave of the virus. From mid-June, the Government started lifting weekend curfew district-wise depending on COVID cases and status of vaccination.
While there will be no weekend curfew in any district of Jammu and Kashmir now, the night curfew will remain in force in all districts from 8 pm to 7 am.
The State Executive Committee further ordered that cap on indoor as well as outdoor gatherings will remain 25.
“Maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor/outdoor gathering shall be restricted to 25,” the SEC order said.
The Government has, however, permitted public and private educational institutions to seek personal attendance of limited vaccinated staff for administrative purposes.
On July 18, the State Executive Committee had ordered that higher educational institutions (which include Universities and Colleges) and Skill Development Centres may be considered for phased reopening for Onsite learning after July 31 subject to vaccination status of students and staff.
It had also ordered that the public and private educational institutions will be permitted to seek personal attendance of limited vaccinated staff for administrative purposes.
It may be mentioned here that all private and Government educational institutions have been closed till July 31.
Rest of the guidelines/ instructions on COVID management in the Union Territory already notified on July 18 will remain in force.
“All Deputy Commissio-ners will focus on positivity rate of Medical blocks under their jurisdictions. Intensified measures related to COVID management and restriction of activities will have to be taken by the DCs in these blocks. There will be renewed focus on Panchayat level mapping of cases and micro-Containment Zones will be constituted wherever unusual spike of cases is observed,” the SEC order said.
It added that the Deputy Commissioners will also keep track of positivity rates in the blocks and consider implementing stricter control measures in closed clustered spaces like public/private offices, community halls, malls, bazaars etc in case weekly positivity rate goes beyond four percent in these blocks.
The Government has once again directed the Managing Director National Health Mission to take up Panchayat level mapping and data capturing for tracking positivity rates on weekly basis in all Panchayats in consultation with the Deputy Commissioners.
“The District Magistrates will strictly ensure that there is full compliance to COVID Appropriate Behaviour and defaulters are firmly dealt with under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act and the Indian Penal Code. The District Magistrates will constitute joint teams of police and Executive magistrates for enforcement of COVID Appropriate Behaviour. The joint teams will submit daily report regarding activities carried out by them and their assessment of compliance level,” the Government order said.
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