By: Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar: Expressing concern over people crowding at markets without wearing masks or not observing social distancing norms, the Jammu and Kashmir Union territory government has urged officials to guard against complacency to prevent a third wave of the coronavirus spread.
“If we remain cautious and take precautions we will be able to prevent the third wave. There should be no compromise in this,” the government in a direction to officials has said.
According to news agency KINS, the government has also stressed that the vaccination drive needs to be continuously ramped up.
The government has observed that the COVID-19 situation was worrisome in some areas and urged the top officials to stay alert and act fast to check the further spread of the virus.
The government has also said stricter steps were needed at the micro-level to check the virus spread and called for greater emphasis on micro-containment zones.
The government has emphasised that the utility of physical distancing, masks, vaccines is clear and the path of testing, tracking and treatment is a proven strategy.
“It is true that tourism, trade and business have been greatly affected due to the coronavirus. But today we will say with great emphasis that having huge crowds in markets without masks and not following COVID protocols is a matter of concern and is not right,” the government has said as per KINS.
The government has said that it is important to make people understand that the third wave will not come on its own.
“The main question in our mind should be how to prevent the third wave and implement the COVID protocol strictly,” it said.
Experts are repeatedly warning against carelessness and crowding as that can lead to a massive surge in cases.
The government has also called for accelerating the vaccination drive in areas where the spread of the virus is expected.
However the government while lauding the people, health workers and the officials for their hard work in the fight against the pandemic has expressed the hope that with collective efforts “we will surely be able to “contain the spread” of coronavirus.
