COVID-19: Kashmir admin treads cautious path, restrictions to continue  

  No decision on reopening schools on June 15, says Advisor Sharma   
Afaq Bhat

Srinagar, June 3: Despite many States and Union Territories relaxing restrictions, the administration in Kashmir is treading a cautious path.
According to the officials the restrictions in the Valley will continue till the COVID-19 curve flattens.  “We can’t take chances as the cases are increasing with each passing day,” an official told Precious Kashmir.
The decision to reopen the educational institutions in Kashmir has also been deferred. “The government has not taken any decision to re-open the schools on June 15 in Jammu and Kashmir. However, instructions have been issued to schools to ensure sanitization of school premises in view of COVID-19 across J&K,” Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, KK Sharma, who is also in charge of School Education Department, said in a statement on Wednesday.
An analyst said, “Jammu and Kashmir administration cannot take any chances as J&K has been reporting more than 100 cases in a day. Any complacence at this point of time can lead to a catastrophe which we have been trying to avoid since March this year.”
He said, “Relaxations can be given only in the areas where no cases have been reported or the ones which have become COVID free. Opening up everything in one go is not advisable. People will have to bear hardships for some more time. Normalcy cannot return till the number of cases keep on increasing.”
It’s in place to mention here that during the past 10-days nearly one lakh people who were stranded outside J&K have arrived. Most of them are under quarantine and the ones who are testing positive are being sent into isolation.
An observer said, “People at the helm need to remain calm as they cannot rush with the things. Experts have already voiced their concern over virus having spread within the community. It’s no more confined to travelers and the people coming from outside the UT. It appears that the virus is everywhere.”
He said, “June month is very crucial as by the end of this month we will come to know whether the curve will flatten or not. The people who were stranded outside J&K have returned. Experts are hoping that by June end situation will change.”
Another analyst said, “During the past three months many clinical trials of the vaccines and other medicines have taken place. There is a possibility about something appearing in the market. Everyone has kept his fingers cross. J&K administration slowing down the things is a good move.”
We are witnessing surge in cases: Div Com

Srinagar, June 3: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole Wednesday said that restrictions will continue which are already in place in Kashmir.

“We are currently in a surge. Daily more than 100 cases are coming regularly. The restrictions already in place will continue,” he told KINS.

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