Jammu & Kashmir extends night curfew, weekend lockdown; know key details

New Delhi: Following the State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, the Jammu and Kashmir administration issued a new set of guidelines to curb the COVID-19  situation in the Union Territory (UT). The meeting was held on Friday. The new guidelines are expected to reduce the transmission rate of the virus which has risen 10 times in the past 10 days.

The new order stated that Night Curfew will continue in force across the UT  from 9 pm to 6 am till further order. Meanwhile, non-essential movement will completely be restricted and will also apply during weekends in the entire J&K.

The District Magistrates of respective districts of J&K shall adopt a Zero Tolerance policy towards non-compliance of Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB), added the order. Reportedly, action will be taken under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, Epidemic Act, and the India Penal Code against the defaulters.

Restrictions imposed in Jammu & Kashmir shall continue to remain in force till further orders. There shall be complete restriction on non-essential movement during weekends; night curfew to remain in force from 9 pm-6 am with complete restriction on non-essential movement. pic.twitter.com/ahMWElOpSJ

— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2022

Read important points of the order:

1) Indoor and outdoor gatherings will be restricted to 25 people. In the Banquet Halls, people will have to show RT-PCR reports which should not be older than 72 hours.

2) Testing is mandatory on symptomatic incoming passengers by air/rail/road.

3) All districts will ensure the completion of the overdue second dose of Covid vaccinations within a week.

4) Minimum of 15 contacts of the COVID-19 positive person will be tracked to reduce the virus transmission

5) Cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes, restaurants, clubs, gymnasiums, and swimming will function with only 25% of the authorized capacity.

6) In-person teaching has been barred and online mediums of teaching have been suggested.

7) Micro-Containment Zone will be created in localities where COVID-19 Positive Cases number reaches 3 and above.

8) The district administration has been ordered to conduct more RTPCR tests to curb the virus spread.