Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 636 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, taking the infection tally in the Union Territory to 82,429, while 15 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 1,306, officials said.
Srinagar district reported the highest number of 167 new cases, followed by 101 in Jammu district, they said.
“The UT recorded 636 fresh cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours — 263 in Jammu and 373 in the Kashmir Valley,” an official said.
There are 11,144 active cases of the coronavirus disease (COVD-19) in the UT, while 69,979 patients have recovered so far, the officials said.
Of the fresh fatalities, 12 were in Jammu and three in the Valley, they added.
Meanwhile, with the government issuing fresh guidelines for Unlock 5.0, Secretary Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Simrandeep Singh today gave details about the allowed and not allowed activities.
Addressing a press conference here, the Singh said the government has permitted opening of cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes, swimming pools, bars in restaurants, hotels, etc., entertainment parks and similar places, coaching centres from October 15 with 50 percent capacity.
The government has also raised the number of pilgrims for the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi per day to 7000, (earlier it was 5000). The decision on the number of pilgrims local/outside UT to allow would be decided by the CEO Shrine Board, he said.
Schools, colleges, higher educational institutions including Anganwari centres shall remain closed till October 31 whereas online/distance mode studies will continue, he said.
Fifty percent teaching, non-teaching staff is permitted for online teaching purposes in areas outside the containment zones. Students of classes 9th to 12th are permitted to visit schools on voluntary basis for taking guidance in areas outside containment zones.
The Skill or Entrepreneurship training will be permitted in National Skill Training Institutes, ITls or other training centers registered with the National Skill Development Mission or J&K Skill Mission.
National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IE) and their training providers will also be permitted, as per the SOP already issued in this regard by the MOHFW, Government of India.
Higher Education institutions will be permitted only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and PG students in science and technical streams requiring lab/experimental works from 15th October, 2020. The Head of Higher Education institutions will satisfy herself/himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (Ph.D.) and PG students in science and technology stream for laboratory/experimental works, an official press release issued in this regard informed.
Coaching centers/institutions shall be permitted to run classes, outside the containment zones only from October 15 up to 50 percent capacity of the centers, strictly as per the SOP issued by Ministry of Education, GOI.
Shops in malls as well as in the limits of Municipal Corporations will remain open from 9 am to 9 pm, it said.
There will be no restrictions on entry of passengers, returnees or travelers coming to Jammu and Kashmir whether by road, rail or air but COVID-19 Antigen Tests are mandatory. The travelers will undergo 14-day home quarantine if they have a valid contactable phone and Aarogya Setu App in their mobile telephones, the press release said, adding the protocol for management of COVID positive persons will be followed.
The SEC, after taking a detailed review of Covid-19 situation in Jammu and Kashmir, has categorized Green, Red, Orange zones.
According to order, all districts of Kashmir province and nine districts of Jammu region have been declared as Orange Zones. The Kishtwar district has been designated as Green Zone. However, Lakhanpur Containment Zone in Kathua district and Jawahar Tunnel area on either side will fall in the Red Zone category.
Religious processions and large religious gatherings will remain strictly prohibited.
Meanwhile, movement of individuals for all non-essential activities will remain prohibited from 10 pm to 5 am while persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children with 10 years of age shall stay at home except for health purposes.
