Jammu and Kashmir: Night curfew to continue, no weekend restrictions

An official spokesman said that in case of the positive rate is below 0.2 and weekly case load below 250, gathering shall be permitted upto 25 per cent of the authorized capacity, preferably in open spaces, for vaccinated persons with verifiable RTPCR or RAT not older than 72 hours.

He said this Sunday evening that a detailed review of current COVID-19 situation in Jammu and Kashmir was held by Chief Secretary, who is chairperson of State Executive Committee (SEC). Senior officers besides Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) participated in the meeting.

He said review was conducted to assess overall situation pertaining to the spread of COVID-19 in the Jammu and Kashmir, particularly focusing on total weekly new cases, total positivity rate, bed occupancy, case fatality rate, vaccination coverage of total targeted population and extent of compliance of Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB).

He said it was observed that there is need to continue with the existing COVID containment measures in all districts in view of the uneven trend observed daily COVID cases.

It was decided that the maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor or outdoor gathering shall be strictly restricted to 25. However, in banquet halls in districts with positivity rate below 0.2 and weekly caseload 250, gathering shall be permitted upto 25 per cent of the authorized capacity, preferably in open spaces, for vaccinated persons.

There shall be no weekend curfew in any district, the SEC said.

As regards the educational institutions, class for 10th and 12th standard shall be permitted with limited in-person teaching not exceeding 50 per cent on a given day for vaccinated students and staff. Consent shall be obtained from the parents of all students who are willing to attend the school. The school premises should be thoroughly sensitized. Proper screening regarding vaccination should be done on the school gate. If students or teachers or other school staff shows symptoms of cough, cold or fever, they will not be allowed to enter the school. The Head of the school must ensure that the guidelines related to social distancing and COVID protocol are strictly followed.

SEC said the coaching centre for civil services, engineering, NEET shall be permitted with limited in person teaching for fully vaccinated staff and students, subject to condition that the head of the centre shall ensure the guidelines related to social distancing and COVID protocol are adhere to.

All other coaching centre shall continue to remain closed for onsight in-person teaching.

Night curfew shall continue to remain inforce in all districts from 2000 hrs to 0700 hrs next morning, the SEC said. But for those districts with positivity rate below 0.2 and weekly case load below 250, where it would be from 2200 hrs to 0600 hrs, the order said.

In view of the high incidence of cases in district Srinagar special campaign shall be organized to substantially increase vaccination coverage and achieve the target of 100 per cent first dose within earlier possible time, the SEC said.