Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing and alarming surge in Covid-19 positive cases and deaths related to the infection. In March, 2021, 4456 Covid positive cases have been detected in Jammu and Kashmir and the deadly virus has also claimed 36 lives. The sudden surge is not J&K specific but entire nation is facing the challenge with highest number of cases being reported every day. Of late, the number of such cases had gone down and Jammu and Kashmir would record cases in two digits only. However, from past few days, the numbers have again jumped to three digits. It is alarming and should make people think that what is going wrong and where. Fact remains that vaccination is going on in Jammu and Kashmir smoothly and as per government records, nearly five lakh people have already got vaccinated. With new directive, now anyone above 45 years of age can get the vaccine shot. The availiblity of vaccine had given a hope that unlike 2020, this year (2021) would be safe for humans. However, the recent surge has once again put a big question mark regarding fight against Covid-19.
The increase in the cases is unfortunately being witnessed as Kashmir’s tourist season had started picking up. People from all over the country had started revisiting Kashmir and the authorities here too had geared up to attract more and more tourists. But the surge in Covid-19 cases has again put the tourism sector in jeopardy. In the month of March, 900 travellers tested positive at Srinagar airport, highest in past 11 months. This situation is worrisome and those involved with tourism sector are watching it with fingers crossed. The government has to do something to ensure that no one with Covid positive is allowed to enter Kashmir and for that it need not to stop the tourist flow. A simple advisory need to be issued to all states and airports that those willing to visit Kashmir should carry a Covid negative report issued by their respective health authorities not later than 48 hours before their travel. Such an advisory would ensure that tourist flow doesn’t get impacted and also that no one carrying the virus would travel to Kashmir.
Covid-19 killed people, destabilized economies, destroyed education sector and traumatized the humans. The vaccine has come a big relief to all the humans world over, however, the recent surge in Covid-19 cases is an indicator that humans themselves are not much serious to defeat the pandemic. The availability of vaccine and coming down of Covid -19 cases have made people complacent and that is the basic reason for surge in such cases. People have to understand that the virus is very much there in the air and therefore they should strictly adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines and follow all the precautions. While being cheerful about the availability of vaccine, they need not to lower the guard. They have to understand that while the government machinery all over is making all efforts to ensure the vaccination of masses, there still are many slips between the cup and the lips. Of late, face masks have been vanishing and people are seen mingling in crowds without caring about social distancing. This unhealthy trend is helping the corona virus to resurface and spread again. This trend is to be stopped. Adherence to wearing masks and maintaining social distance is the key to remain safe. People have to adapt to the new norm. People have to make masks a permanent feature of their dress code. The virus has reached all corners of the world and therefore despite the availability of vaccine, it still remains a long drawn battle. This battle is to be fought by every individual by following all necessary precautions.
