Maintain covid appropriate behaviour, get vaccinated: Div Com

SRINAGAR: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today said that unlocking corona curfew, a tough decision was taken for people, however, public also must cooperate, maintain appropriate covid behavior religiously to contain spread of virus.

He said this while chairing a meeting attended by Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla and Budgam, Commissioner SMC, Director Health Services Kashmir, Director Tourism, Director SWD, JD Information, CMOs and other senior officers from the Health and concerned departments.

Heads of various tour, travel, traders, transporters and tourism bodies besides representatives also attended the meeting among others from other related associations.

He said despite the positivity rate in most of the districts of Kashmir still above 5 percent, the government unlocked the corona curfew in a phased manner for relief to the people hit during the lockdown period.

The Div Com appealed to people in general and shopkeepers, public transporters and traders to ensure adherence to Covid SOPs in letter and spirit.

He emphasized that shopkeepers should avoid unnecessary rush at their shops and public transporters should carry only 50 percent passengers and follow the laid down guidelines religiously to ensure containment of virus.

The Div Com further stressed on carrying out aggressive vaccination of eligible persons of targeted population and ensure 100 percent coverage of all priority groups including, shopkeepers, drivers, conductors, journalists, employees, persons with disabilities and other targeted groups at the earliest.

He directed concerned to set up vaccination booths and operate mobile vaccination centers to ensure all people associated with trade, travel and associated sectors are vaccinated as soon as possible.

He appealed to heads of these associations to go for mass vaccination against Covid-19 virus, their employees and family members to ensure breaking of  chain of transmission in the community.

He said that unlocking restrictions shall give respite to small traders, Mohallah shopkeepers, street vendors, small eatable vendors who have been severely hit during the lockdown period, however, those traders and shopkeepers who have better financial conditions should avoid opening their shops during this period.

The Div Com rebuffed the news spread against vaccines as fake and urged people not to pay heed to any such negative information.

He said that vaccines are safe and have high protection against the virus and getting vaccinated has become a social obligation to ensure our own safety as well as safeguarding others.

At the outset, Div Com took stock of district wise progress of the vaccination process from concerned DCs and instructed them to intensify the campaign to ensure 100 percent coverage of all eligible persons.