Preachers in Kashmir urged to help reinforce Covid norms

Our Correspondent

Jammu/Srinagar, January 13

Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, today held a virtual meeting with religious leaders and preachers, including imams, khateebs and ulemas of mosques and shrines of the Waqf Board regarding reinforcement of Covid-19 guidelines at religious places besides creating mass awareness among people.

According to an official statement, the Divisional Commissioner reminded the leaders about their religious and social responsibilities to play a better role in educating people by reiterating the Covid precautionary messages frequently on loud speakers besides strictly enforcing physical distancing, wearing of masks, use of sanitizers, avoiding physical contacts and discouraging crowds.

The Divisional Commissioner also asked them to use electronic and social media for the purpose.

In Kashmir, the authorities concerned have directed the hospital administrations not to allow patients and attendants enter the medical facilities without taking a rapid antigen test (RAT) for Covid in view of the surge in the number of cases.

MA Rather, Director Health Services, Kashmir, in a circular, asked all chief medical officers, medical superintendents, block medical officers in the Valley to get Covid-19 SOPs/guidelines properly implemented in all healthcare institutions falling under their administrative control.

The Jammu Divisional Commissioner’s meeting was attended by all deputy commissioners, directors of health and tourism besides Waqf Board chairman.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday recorded 1,966 fresh Covid cases, raising the tally to 3,50,167, while five more deaths pushed the toll to 4,552, officials said.

Of the fresh cases, 889 were reported from the Jammu division and 1,077 from the Kashmir division. There are 7,932 active Covid cases in the Union Territory. The recovered patients are 3,37,683. (With PTI inputs)

Curbs at Airport

• The entry of passengers to the Srinagar airport is now allowed only three hours before their flight departure.
• Those arriving hours before flight at the airport result in crowding, says an AAI official.

1,966 new cases, 5 deaths in J&K

• J&K on Thursday recorded 1,966 fresh Covid cases, raising the tally to 3,50,167, while five deaths pushed the toll to 4,552, officials said.
• In Ladakh, 122 fresh cases took the caseload to 22,649 and the active cases shot up to 502. Twenty six patients recovered, taking the recoveries to 22,125.