Srinagar, Aug 21: Friday prayers were offered in all mosques and shrines after remaining suspended for about 22 weeks following closures of religious places in Kashmir valley since March to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Prayers were offered in Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar, Hazratbal shrine — which houses the relic of Prophet Muhammad — shrines of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani in Charari Sharief, Hamza Makhdoom Kashmiri Sahib, Harzat Syed Yaqoob Sahib, besides other Jamias and mosques in accordance with the guidelines issued by the authorities, including social distancing and facemasks.

A large number of people, maintaining social distance and wearing masks, offered Friday prayers in Hazratbal shrine, on the bank of world famous Dal Lake. Good number of women also offered prayers.
Jamia Masjid, which is a stronghold of Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, witnessed large gathering of people though social distance was maintained during prayers and while leaving the mosque. Last year, the historic mosque remained closed for 132 days due to restrictions imposed by the authorities after scrapping Article 370 and Article 35 A on August 5, 2019.
Devotees in large numbers also thronged shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani in Charari Sharief after it was thrown open for general public last week.
Similarly, first time in five months people offered prayers in congregation in other mosques and shrines across the valley, where authorities and religious groups have urged people to strictly follow guidelines issued to curtail the spread of COVID-19. However, people were offered Friday prayers in small and interior mosques in the valley though authorities were yet to lift ban on congregational prayers from last couple of weeks.
The special weekly prayers were offered on Friday in mosques and shrines across the valley after the J&K administration ordered reopening of all worship places from August 16. Meanwhile, Jamia Masjid, reopened on August 18 after remaining closed since March this year.
Meanwhile, devotees were upbeat about offering Friday prayers after over five months. “We are really happy that we were able to offer Friday prayers in mosques and shrines after over five months. But, we need to make sure that we follow all the guidelines, including maintaining social distance and wearing facemasks, so that COVID-19 doesn’t spread,” Tahir Hussain, a resident of Rainawari told UNI.
Similar feelings and awareness about SPOs were expressed by other people from different parts of the valley.
The J&K administration on August 4 had announced that all religious places and places of worship would be reopened from August 16. However, authorities issued guidelines and urged people not to lower their guard. “Community response holds the key to fighting Pandemic. Glad to see observance of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) as religious places opened today after 5 months. Hopeful about industry, business & transport to follow the pursuit,” Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary had tweeted.
Authorities and religious organisations had announced closure all mosques and shrines in J&K in view of the outbreak of COVID-19 in March this year. The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMEU), an organisation of different religious bodies, headed by incarcerated Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, had appealed to people not to hold any congregational prayers on account of pandemic.
No congregational Shab-e-Qadar prayers were offered in any mosque in the valley. No prayers were offered on Jamat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of the holy fasting month Ramzan, in the valley, where Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha prayers were offered by people in their respective houses.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Aug 21: As many as 654 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday thus taking the tally of infected persons across the Union Territory to 31731, officials said.
They said that of the fresh cases 540 were reported in Kashmir and 114 in Jammu. Moreover, they said, 580 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 119 from Jammu and 461 from Kashmir.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 31371 positive cases, 6973 are Active Positive, 23805 have recovered and 593 have died; 41 in Jammu division and 552 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 844641 test results available, 813270  samples have been tested as negative till August 21, 2020.

Additionally, till date 426670 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation which included 42078 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 6973 in isolation and 43232 under home surveillance. Besides, 333794 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 7614 positive cases (including 206 cases reported today) with 1237 Active Positive, 6188 recovered (including 225 cases recovered today), 189 deaths; Baramulla has 2586 positive cases (including 51 cases reported today) with 584 Active Positive, 1909 recovered (including 22 cases reported today), 93 deaths; Pulwama reported 2238 positive cases (including 33 cases reported today) with 415 active positive cases, 1781 recovered (including 15 cases recovered today), 42 deaths; Kulgam has 1793 positive cases (including 40 cases reported today) with 233 Active Positive, 1529 recoveries (including 18 cases recovered today), 31 deaths; Shopian has 1617 positive cases with 124 Active Positive, 1466 recovered (including 08 cases recovered today), 27 deaths; Anantnag district has 1992 positive cases (including 45 cases reported today) with 433 Active Positive, 1515 recovered (including 20 cases recovered today), 44 deaths;  Budgam has 2044 positive cases (including 68 cases reported today) with 555 Active Positive and 1439 recovered (including 39 cases recovered today), 50 deaths; Kupwara has 1753 positive cases (including 29 cases reported today) with 514 Active Positive, 1199 recovered (including 18 cases recovered today), 40 deaths; Bandipora has 1748 positive cases (including 52 cases reported today) with 852 Active Positive, 874 recovered (including 92 cases recovered today), 22 deaths and  Ganderbal has 1110 positive cases (including 16 cases reported today) with 543 active positive cases, 553 recoveries (including 04 cases reported today) and 14 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 2196 positive cases (including 63 cases reported today) with 656 active positive cases, 1511 recoveries (including 74 cases recovered today), 29 deaths; Rajouri has 804 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 93 active positive cases, 708 recovered, 03 deaths; Ramban has 634 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 25 active positive, 608 recoveries (including 07 cases recovered today), 01 death; Kathua has 706 positive cases (including 11 cases reported today) with 115 Active positive, 590 recovered (including 10 cases recovered today), 01 death; Udhampur has 693 positive cases (including 13 cases reported today) with 84 active positive cases, 607 recovered (including 04 cases recovered today), 02 deaths; Samba has 610 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 178 Active Positive, 431 recoveries (including 07 cases recovered today), 01 death; Doda has 363 positive cases (including 11 cases reported today) with 56 active positive cases, 305 recoveries (including 03 cases recovered today), 02 deaths; Poonch has 337 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 65 active positive, 270 recoveries (including 08 cases recovered today), 02 deaths; Reasi has 342 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 190 active positive, 152 recoveries (including 04 cases recovered today) and Kishtwar has 191 positive cases (including 05 cases reported today) with 21 active positive cases and 170 recoveries (including 02 recoveries today) .

According to the bulletin, of the total 31371 positive cases in J&K 5764 have been reported as travelers while 25607 as others.

The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.

The bulletin has informed the people that, the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 meter from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water and following good respiratory etiquette and hygiene.

As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.

The bulletin again explained that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice”.

Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent hand washing with soap and water.”

In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialing toll-free number 102.

People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on Novel Corona virus Disease (COVID-19).

The bulletin has informed that the Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine, J&K is distributing AYUSH Medicines having immunity boosting, immuno-modulator, anti-oxidant, rejuvenator, anti-stress, metabolism regulator, anti-allergic, anti-pyretic, anti-tussive, bronchodilator, etc properties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department so far has provided medicine to 8.13 lakh people that include various frontline workers, senior citizens, PRIs, police/paramilitary personals and general masses. Moreover, preventive measures and Yoga therapies are also being advised to the people to take care of lifestyle/mental disorders so that physical and mental health is ensued during this pandemic.

Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.

People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.

68898 more people test positive, tally at 2905823

New Delhi, Aug 21: India on Friday recorded 62282 fresh COVID recoveries during the past 24 hours , with the recovery rate improving to 74.30 per cent.
According to the Union Health Ministry update, the total number of cured and discharged cases have now reached 2158946 till date.
Active case load on the country at present stands at 6,92,028, after 5633 such cases were added to the list.
However, with 983 more people losing their fight against COVID since Thursday, the pandemic deaths have now reached 54849 so far in the country, and the death rate on Friday stood at 1.89 per cent.
The country has recorded 68898 fresh infections in the past one day , and now the overall COVID tally has mounted to 2905823, so far.
On the brighter side , the recoveries have exceeded the active cases by 1466919.

Says government committed to provide basic amenities across UT, early completion of projects to be rewarded
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Aug 21: Lt Governor J&K Manoj Sinha today inaugurated Phase-I of much awaited Jammu Ring Road. The 8-kilometer stretch between Akhnoor Road, Kangrail and Bhalwal was inaugurated in the presence of Union Minister of State (Ind Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region and MoS PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh; Member of Parliament, Shamsher Singh Manhas; Member of Parliament, Jugal Kishore Sharma and Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed satisfaction over the inauguration and termed roads as vital for any society to progress. He urged the executing agencies for early completion of the entire project and assured incentives to the executing agencies and officers for completing projects within stipulated time period.
The Lt Governor hoped that the newly inaugurated road would help reduce pollution, decongest Jammu city and will catalyse economic and industrial growth across the region. He also reiterated the government’s resolve for providing basic amenities across the length and breadth of the Union Territory.
The LG also commended district administration of Jammu and Samba for timely land acquisition and prompt removal of bottlenecks in the execution of the project.
Designed to keep up with needs of the growing city, the Jammu Ring Road will help ease chaos and traffic within the city by connecting peripheries of the city directly, reducing distance and travel time between other districts of the UT.
Those present on the occasion also included Mayor JMC, Chander Mohan Gupta; Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma; IGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh; DC Jammu, Sushma Chauhan; Deputy Mayor JMC, Purnima Sharma; Regional Officer NHAI, Hem Raj and other senior officers of various departments.
The phase-1 of Jammu Ring Road was scheduled to be finished by March 2020 but was delayed due to Covid crisis. The complete 58.255 km Ring Road shall be completed in December 2021 at an estimated budget of Rs 2024 crores. The foundation stone of the project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2018.
The Ring Road will pass through Raya Morh, Patti, Bari Brahmana, Murallian, Miran Saheb, Lalyal, Alora, Sohanjana, Gho Manhasan, Karloop, Kangrail, Bhalwal, Kot, Kheri and Jagti near Nagrota. Total 60 villages- 54 of district Jammu and 6 of district Samba will be connected once the project finishes.