J&K: Markets to open in orange zones

An order issued by Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam stated that Lakhanpur area on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway, which acts as an entry point to the UT from Punjab, will be a “Red/Containment Zone, with 500 meter buffer”.

This followed a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases across the UT over the past few days, sources said, adding that J&K on Saturday registered its highest ever figure — 409 fresh cases — as well as three deaths, raising the total number of coronavirus-related fatalities to 40.

The order said that the night curfew will remain in force, banning movement of people for non-essential activities from 8 pm to 5 am. The order also stated that there will also be no social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions, besides other large gatherings and congregations.

There will also be no inter UT/State, inter-province and inter-district buses for public transport and private vehicles except for those permitted for specific categories.

There shall also be no inter province or inter State/UT movement of people except for obtaining permissions or in permitted public transport after following the prescribed health protocols.

While all educational institutions, training and coaching institutions including anganwadi centres, will remain closed, online/distant learning will be permitted and their offices can continue to function for administrative purposes. Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, spas, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places will also remain closed in the UT.

However, liquor shops will reopen across the UT. Also reopening are all private hospitals, clinics and nursing homes (including OPD services), e-commerce and courier services, all agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and related activities; home deliveries by restaurants and hotels; banking and financial services as well as self-employed service providers like plumbers, technicians and electricians. Canteens/eateries at bus stands, railway stations and airports will also open, but only with passes in red districts.

Barber shops and salons will also open in all areas, except within the limits of the municipal corporations of Jammu and Srinagar.

Additionally, in orange zones, all shops in market areas, bazaars and market complexes will be permitted to open.

In green zone districts, apart from activities allowed in orange districts, private offices will reopen with 100 per cent staff. Public passenger transport (buses/tempo travelers, cab aggregators, auto rickshaws etc) will operate with upto 50 per cent seating capacity on intra district routes and between contiguous green districts, besides barber shops, saloons and parlours in all areas.

In red districts, the order stated that only shops selling essential items like groceries, fruits, vegetables, bakeries etc will open, while private offices will operate with only 33 per cent attendance, with passes for the staff as prescribed.

Hotels and hospitality services can operate at 50 per cent capacity, with staff working with full protection gear and equipment. All shopping malls will operate with 50 per cent of shops open on alternate days from 9 am to 7 pm. Apart from special markings to maintain social distancing, air conditioning of malls will follow CPWD guidelines in respect to temperature range of 24-30 degree Celsius, relative humidity in the range of 49-70 per cent, with adequate cross ventilation and intake of fresh air. Food courts and dining facilities in malls will not be allowed for dine-in purposes, and children’s gaming zones, gaming arcades and cinemas inside malls shall remain closed.