Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Ajaz Assad Monday claimed that the situation has taken an ‘alarming’ turn in Srinagar following steep rise in COVID-19 positive cases.
DC Srinagar also said though the government has not taken any decision on lockdown in the city so far, final call in this regard will be taken after consulting all stakeholders.
Replying to a query that people too want lockdown to be imposed following spike in COVID-19 cases in the district, DC said not everyone but few voices support lockdown, whose opinion will also be considered.
“As you know the situation has taken an alarming turn, we have not taken any decision on lockdown in Srinagar yet, but the final call will be taken only after consulting every stakeholder. Not everyone, but few voices support lockdown and we will consider their opinion as well,” DC Srinagar told reporters here.
He said “when lockdown was imposed last year, laborers, vegetables sellers and so many other people faced immense problems; government will take a call when all stakeholders agree.”
On being asked whether government will issue any advisory for the travelers who are considered to be COVID carriers, DC Srinagar said those who think travelers are carriers are absolutely ‘wrong’ as only five percent of them test positive for the virus while 95 percent patients are the locals.
Assad said the Jammu and Kashmir is the only place in India where travelers go through stringent testing on their arrival at the airport while as no one is allowed to move beyond Lakhanpur and Lower Munda check-posts without getting tested.
He said COVID-19 knows no boundaries, hence people need to be careful and follow SOPs in letter and spirit to prevent the deadly virus from spreading further. DC Srinagar also appealed people to get them vaccinated and motivate others as well.
“COVID-19 knows no boundaries, its intrusion is borderless hence we appeal people to be extra careful and take all precautions to save themselves from the virus and get themselves, their family members, neighbors and acquaintances vaccinated,” he added.
