Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Assad Thursday said the decision on reopening of schools and further relaxation in ongoing lockdown will be taken once there is ‘significant drop’ in the active COVID caseload.
He said adoption of SOPs is the only way to avoid lockdowns and subsequent restrictions and appealed people to be cautious as the situation has become tricky after partial unlocking.
Assad further asked people to come out of the ‘delusion’ that COVID-19 pandemic is over or its impact has reduced due to decline in number of positive cases over the past few weeks.
“What I observe doesn’t matter, what matters is the behavior of the people. SEC would sit and take decision with regard to reopening of schools and further relaxation in ongoing lockdown once there is significant decline in active caseload,” DC Srinagar told reporters during his visit to the city centre Lal Chowk.
Accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Sandeep Chaudhary, and other civil and police officials, DC said the aim of visiting Lal Chowk was to check whether COVID-19 SOPs are implemented on the ground.
He said ‘Corona-curfew’ or lockdown is imposed when situation goes out of control and the government finds no other alternative to tackle the situation. Assad said the situation is still precarious, and taking the pandemic for-granted will lead to further damage.
“People need to come out of the delusion that pandemic is over, we still have 2600 active cases of Coronavirus in Srinagar. We cannot overcome the prevailing situation until and unless Covid-appropriate behavior is followed religiously,” he added.
He appealed the people to rally around in getting rid of the deadly virus, which he said may continue in case laid-down SOPs like wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing, avoiding gatherings are not complied with.
He also warned strict action against anyone found roaming in public places without a face mask. “SOP violation cannot be tolerated; those who are found without masks in public places besides being fined will be tested on the spot,” he said.
