CS reviews measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in JK

JAMMU, MARCH 11: Chief Secretary, B. V. R. Subrahmanyam, Wednesday took stock of measures put in place by the Health Department to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir.All Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM) and Director Information participated in the meeting.Chief Secretary while reviewing the prevailing health situation in the UT, said that after the decision of closure of schools upto primary level, the Government has decided that as a precautionary measure, all educational institutions (Govt/Private) in J&K including College/Universities shall suspend their class work till March 31, 2020. However, all ongoing/scheduled Board and Competitive examinations shall not be affected by this decision. Pertinently, the Divisional Administration, Jammu has already ordered closure of all Aanganwari centres and Cinema Halls in the province as a preventive measure.Chief Secretary emphasized that people should be advised to defer or cancel their family functions and congregations. If not avoidable, they must reduce the size of gathering to bare minimal. It was advised that avoidable travel or movement should also be discouraged to minimize risk of transmission of infection. CS appealed to the general public to maintain social distance and avoid close contact.Divisional and all Deputy Commissioners were asked to minimize, reduce or cancel all avoidable gatherings wherever possible in their respective jurisdictions, as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of infection.