Covid-19 Resurgence: Govt Places Journalists Under ‘High Risk Group’ Category

SRINAGAR: Amid spike in Covid-19 cases and prevailing global pandemic situation, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has categorized the media persons under ‘High Risk Group’, after keeping in view the nature of their duties.

A top official while confirming the development said the government recently took a decision to keep media persons in the High Risk Group, after it was observed the nature of their duties in view of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.

“Journalists are more vulnerable to get infected with the virus as they are always on run and come in contact with many people. So DIPR today held a vaccination drive for left out journalists at the directorate office Srinagar, before that two vaccination drives were held in collaboration with Kashmir Press Club (KPC),” an official said.

An official said that they have directed all the District Information Officers to conduct the vaccination drive for journalists, and so far the vaccination drive has been carried at district Anantnag, District Budgam and District Baramulla.

On considering media men as frontline warriors, the official said, “We know the Journalists are at the frontline, and delivering their duties professionally, that is why the government has categorized them under the High Risk Group.”

“The matter will be looked into and taken up with the higher ups, whether there is any such policy decision to designate the journalists as frontline warriors, but the Journalists have been officially recognized now as ‘High Risk Group,” an official said.

During the inoculation drive at DIPR complex on Wednesday, Media Coordinator Shabir Ahmad and Bilal Ahmad said, after the directions were passed to coordinate with the Journalists who are yet to get vaccinated, many Journalists from print and electronic media came and took the jab.

“If there is still any left out journalist who hasn’t taken the vaccine can contact us during the office hours,” they said. (KNO)