Srinagar, July 8: Very less number of people visited Mughal gardens and other parks, which were reopened from Wednesday after remaining closed for about four months to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
The gardens and parks in the Union Territory were reopened from Wednesday despite no letup in the number of fatalities and upward spiral in new COVID-19 cases in J&K, where so far 146 patients have died due to the virus while about 9000 people have been infected.
However, authorities said that all the visitors have to strictly observe the already given protocols and medical advises related to Covid-19, including wear face masks, use hand sanitizers and maintain social distancing norms both inside and outside these picnic spots.
Very few people, who were wearing facemask, could be seen visiting Mughal gardens, situated along the boulevard road on the bank of famous Dal Lake, during the day after a gap of about four months in Srinagar, where the maximum temperature settled at 31.9 degree, which is about 2 degree above normal. However, the number slightly increased in the evening.
The floriculture department has set up thermal screening at the entry gates of all these gardens, parks to check visitors for any COVID-19 symptoms. Hand sanitizers have also been made available by the department for the use of visitors.
A good number of people visit Dal Lake and non-vegetarian eateries — particularly serving roasted meat, chicken and fish — along boulevard road in the evenings after relaxation in lockdown last month. Though, this has been condemned by many, including Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK), which has linked ignoring recommended precautions with surge in new cases and deaths due to the novel Coronavirus.
“People have started thronging public parks, gardens and picnic spots. Playing fields are full, roads are chock-a- block with traffic and markets are crowded,” DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said.
“Economy should not be preferred over lives as gardens are not important for the survival of human beings. Opening gardens and parks at a time when deaths and new COVID-19 cases are on the rise is unscientific,” he added.
