3 Districts Of Jammu And Entire Kashmir Declared As Red Zones

After an assessment of the coronavirus situation, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared the entire Kashmir valley and three districts of the Jammu region as “red zone”.

Photo: PTI

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared the entire Kashmir valley and three districts of the Jammu region as “red zone”. It is based on an overall assessment of the coronavirus situation and the expected movement of stranded persons to the union territory. On Sunday night, the classification of districts was given in an order issued by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam. The Union Health Ministry had classified four districts of Jammu and Kashmir – Srinagar, Bandipora, Anantnag and Shopian — as red zones. The Centre has allowed the administration of States and Union Territories (UTs) to classify additional districts as red or orange zones. However, States and UTs are not allowed to lower the zone classification of a district. As per the order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, the entire Kashmir valley, which comprises ten districts has been declared as a red zone. According to the order, in the Jammu region, three districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua are in the red zone. While four districts of the Jammu region – Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, and Rajouri – are in the orange zone, while Doda, Kishtwar, and Poonch are in the green zone. The other guidelines issued by the chief secretary are based on the MHA order issued on May 1 for the third phase of lockdown from May 4 to May 17. As per the guidelines:

• the government has allowed movement of individuals in vehicles only for permitted activities, with a maximum of two passengers, besides the driver in four-wheelers, and with no pillion rider in case of two-wheelers.
• Intra-district movement of individuals is also allowed in the orange zone in individual vehicles with similar restriction of passengers in four and two-wheelers, on the basis of passes issued by the district authority. Taxi and cab aggregators are permitted to ply with one driver and two passengers only
• While e-commerce activities (home delivery etc) are permitted for essential services and goods.

The order also stated that “Private offices can operate with up to 33 percent strength as per the requirement with remaining persons working from home.'' In green zone districts, all activities which are permitted in the orange zone will be allowed. Additional activities permitted in green zones included the opening of all shops except those prohibited across the Union Territory. The activities which will remain prohibited in the entire UT include all domestic and international air travel of passengers, except for medical services, air ambulance, security purposes, or for purposes permitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs. All schools, colleges, universities, educational and training coaching institutions, etc. will also remain closed across the UT till March 17 but online and distance learning will be permitted.