The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared all 10 districts In Kashmir besides Jammu, Kathua, and Samba as Red Zones. Reasi, Udhampur, Ramban, and Rajouri are under Orange category while Doda, Kishtwar and Poonch have been declared as Green Zones. Besides, it has issued new guidelines on lockdown measures which will remain in force for at least till May 18.
As far as Red Zones are concerned, very limited and permitted activities are allowed while Orange and Green Zones have some leeway as even buses can operate with 50% seat capacity on intra-district routes while barber shops, spas and saloons are permitted in the later case.
However, there would be continued suspension of air, rail, inter-State and urban public transport, and the restrictions on mass gatherings in all zones. All schools, colleges, universities, educational, training and coaching institutions are also not permitted, so is the movement of individuals for all non-essential activities between 7 pm to 7 am along with hospitality services other than those used for housing health, police, government officials, healthcare workers, stranded persons, and those used for quarantine facilities. All religious congregations are strictly prohibited while persons above 65 years of age, persons and with comorbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, have been asked to stay at home except for meeting essential requirements or for health purpose. All such measures remove a major source of crowding.
In all zones, movement of individuals is allowed only for “permitted activities” with maximum two individuals besides driver allowed in four wheeler vehicles and no pillion rider allowed in case of two wheelers. While allowing some movement is inevitable, the restrictions on the number of passengers allowed for two or four wheelers and the guidelines for personnel in industries call for strict adherence to succeed.
It is important for everyone to understand that the highly contagious novel coronavirus has not disappeared and the weeks ahead present a challenge especially when there would be influx of stranded residents including students and labourers into J&K from outside.
It is important for the government and the individuals to ensure that the gains from the lockdown in terms of a relatively low death toll are not reversed overnight as normality of varying degrees in all zones is restored. There is a need to recognize the value for prevention measures, the only option available in the absence of medical remedies.
At the cost of repetition, people must practice universally recognised precautions such as use of face masks, hand washing and physical distancing at all times. The relaxation of the lockdown shall never be construed as a return to normalcy. Rather it should be accepted as a new reality, one that demands safe and measured activity.
Lockdown Eases Not Normalcy
