Night curfew imposed in Ladakh UT after a case of Omicron variant found

In view of the Omicron variant threat looming large across the world and in India District Magistrate Kargil Santosh Sulhdave issued the orders of night curfew after a case of Omicron variant was reported in the UT.

An order issued from the office of the District Magistrate Kargil said, all educational institutions including coaching centres have been closed till further orders by the administration.

Besides all social, religious, cultural, sports gathering functions and other organizations in open and close spaces shall be allowed with only up to 50 percent capacity or thirty persons whichever is less.

Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision of thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will also be mandatory.

“I have directed the health department that if any person is found positive for Omicron variant in any part of the UT, the people living in the radius of five kilometer will have to undergo Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) mandatorily”, Sulhdave said.

He said there would be further restrictions on gatherings during festival celebrations at public places in Kargil and Leh.

“People should celebrate occasions at their homes, maintaining social distance to protect themselves from the virus”, Sulhdave added.

He said, wearing of mask and keeping social distance has been made mandatory in the UT amid the threat from the Omicron. During the 2nd wave of COVID-19, Kargil was the safest place in the entire country, he said and added anybody found without a mask and violating the orders would be fined Rs 500.

He said as it is winter months presently in the UT, and mostly people remain confined in their homes with all doors and windows closed are a matter of concern.

It has also been directed that all concerned organizations shall ensure that people must be vaccinated with a double dose of COVID vaccine, he added.