Coronavirus: 20 villages declared red zones in Kashmir

Srinagar, March 31: Amid surge in coronavirus cases, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday declared seven areas in central Kashmir and 20 villages elsewhere as red-zones.

According to the official announcement, Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah and Shalteng in Srinagar besides Chadoora in Budgam district have been declared as Red Zones.

Similarly 20 villages including Parray Mohala Hajin, Chandergeer Hajin, Batagund Hajin in Bandipora, Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena, Parigam, Abhama, Sangerwani and Khaigam in Pulwama and Waskura in Ganderbal besides Sedew and Ramnagri in Shopian have also been declared red zones to the prevent spread of the coronavirus.

The government has already said that several areas surrounding location of covid-19 cases or untraced contact cases had to be sealed in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, and Rajouri in the interest of controlling spread of the dreaded disease.

“Aggressive contact tracing of positive cases key to control spread of Coronavirus. Yesterday several areas surrounding location of positive cases or untraced contact cases had to be sealed in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Rajouri,” tweeted Rohit Kansal.

“This is purely in the interest of controlling spread of coronavirus, and helping identification of contacts on real time basis,” Kansal, who is also the government spokesman said. “Inconvenience so caused is temporary in nature but benefits will be immense. Request all to cooperate and take it in right spirit,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said the sealing of the areas is important and indispensable. “With some more cases coming positive these areas will be restricted till all precautions and measures are in places,” he added.

GNS