Lockdown Imposed In Srinagar Ahead Of Eid 2020; Essential Service Shops To Operate For Two Days

The two-day relaxation in lockdown restrictions have been granted in view of the Eid festival that falls on Friday, July 31.

(File Photo/ Getty)

Srinagar: Keeping in view the upcoming Eid festival as will as the spike in Coronavirus cases, the Srinagar authorities on Tuesday announced that shops dealing with only essential commodities and services will be allowed to operate on two days - July 29 and 30 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in Srinagar district on condition of adhering to issued COVID-19 preventive measures and guidelines.  The mandatory protocol for operating the essential commodities shop includes wearing of face mask, following the norms of social distancing. Violations of these guidelines will attract penalties in the form of sealing and fines, under the disaster management act. Earlier it was announced that all shops and businesses will be allowed to function for three days starting from 28th July, but witnessing surge in the number of COVID-19 cases everyday, authorities reviewed the decision and ordered a lockdown on Tuesday with certain restrictions and relaxations. The two-day relaxation in lockdown restrictions have been granted in view of the Eid festival that falls on Friday, July 31. According to the sources, the Srinagar administration has decided that business establishments dealing in non-essential services and commodities will remain closed till further notification to this effect. Meanwhile, the enforcement teams in each Tehsil across the district have been directed to ensure adherence of lockdown guidelines and strict action against violations whenever noticed. Both shops and shoppers will be under the watch of these teams to check violations. With seven more deaths in past 24-hours, capital Srinagar has recorded 99 deaths, which is the highest fatalities across Jammu and Kashmir till date. There were nearly 470 new COVID-19 cases resorted on Monday, of which, Srinagar alone reported 132 cases, taking the overall tally to 18,390. (With additional inputs from Asif Qureshi)