Markets will reopen and public transport services will resume operations tomorrow in Srinagar amid COVID-19 Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) while religious places including shrines, Masjids, Temples and Gurdwaras were reopened today for prayers after a gap of 5 months.
The religious places like Hazratbal, Makhdoom Sahib and Dastgheer Sahib shrines were opened for devotees after five months today. They were closed in March this year after the first COVID-19 death was reported in Srinagar on March 18.
Scores of devotees at least in 8 rows offered afternoon prayers at Hazratbal shrine today soon after it was re-opened for prayers. Earlier, it was disinfected by the authorities. However, there was proper social distancing during the prayers.
The prayers were also offered at other places from this afternoon but the number of people was very less as people are still scared due to spike in COVID deaths and positive cases in Kashmir.
Scores of devotees were also seen at Makhdoom Sahib, Dastgheer Sahib, Aasari Sharief and Syed Sahib Shrines as well.
However, no prayers were held at Jamia Masjid today despite that the gates of the grand Masjid were re-opened today. The Auqaf Jamia Masjid said that prayers in the Masjid will be offered from Tuesday.
Earlier, to ensure strict compliance with SOPs and guidelines the Government has devised in consultation with health experts, the district administration had reached out to managing committees of places of worship of all faiths and sensitised them about do’s and don’ts to prevent spread of COVID-19.
District Magistrate Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, today lifted restrictions on business and transport operations in Srinagar in a regulated manner under proper COVID protocol. The operations will resume from tomorrow.
The decision to allow reopening of shops and resumption of operation of public transport service was taken after careful consideration of different aspects of the situation as it exists in the district.
The restrictions on business among other activities and operations in the district had been in place for around five months now with just a limited relaxation allowed during the month-long unlock period before restrictions had to be re-imposed.
The order of removing restrictions in Srinagar was issued in pursuant to the State Executive Committee order (dated 04.08.2020) which permitted reopening of 50 percent shops in all markets and resumption of public transport operations with a boarding of 50 percent passengers in minibuses and up to a maximum of 4 passengers in 10-seater maxi-cabs and 2 passengers in taxicabs and auto-rickshaws.
As per the order in all markets, alternate shops will open so as to prevent crowding and to enable queuing of customers as per the advised distancing norm. Market associations have been asked to decide about the roster and ensure strict implementation of the guidelines. The decision in this regard was taken in consultations with trade bodies and market associations of the district.
The DM said the district administration has full faith in the business and trading communities of the district and is sure that there will be strict compliance with all SOPs and guidelines like wearing of face masks and observance of distancing while going about their businesses.
The instructions for resumption of public transport service include a plan for the number of vehicles which will be allowed to operate on designated routes in the district. “To reduce footprint, not more than a third of the total number of vehicles will be allowed to operate on a route. It is notable that there are around 80 designated public transport routes in Srinagar”, he said.
The markets will reopen after the ongoing second lockdown enforced last month after a one-month-long unlock period whereas the public transport service will resume operations for the first time since March when restrictions thereon were imposed following outbreak of COVID-19 in J&K.
The DM has directed Magistrates and concerned authorities to take strict action against instances of non-compliance with instructions as issued under the order or violations of preventive guidelines and SOPs the government has devised in efforts to reduce spread of COVID-19.
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