By: Jahangir Sofi
Srinagar: As the world celebrates International Picnic Day on June 18, a day to encourage people to get outside and enjoy one another’s company, the ongoing pandemic has confined majority of the population at their homes.
However, the adventure lovers in the valley say if one is vaccinated and adheres to Covid-19 sops and guidelines can go on outings with friends or family.
Sajad Ahmed, an adventure lover who treks almost every summer said that pandemic has changed everything on the ground, but with time one has to learn to live with the Covid, as fading of the virus in near future looks very bleak, with medical experts predicting the inevitability of the third wave.
“If one is vaccinated and adheres to the given Covid SOPs and guidelines, one should go for the outing, as we all have been reeling under this deadly virus which not only claimed the lives but drastically impacted the livelihood of the people, after so many people, lost their jobs,” he said.
Another adventure lover said, “I really want to go on an outing with my family, as the picnic spots are not so crowded, and there is a lot of space where families and friends can have relaxing time”.
“These Corona lockdowns have paralysed everything. People are under stress, they need a break, though the economic condition is not good, that should not stop one from the outing,” he said.
In summers most of the local population visits the hill stations and parks with families and friends especially on weekends.
Although with some Covid relaxations recently announced by the authorities, the paid public parks in the valley continued to remain barred for visitors under Covid-19 guidelines. (KNO)