Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Dr G N Itoo today said that a proper mechanism is in place to screen and quarantine each and every person including migrants, travellers entering valley for COVID-19 virus.The DC said that public health shall not be compromised at any cost adding that administration will strictly implement all the related SOPs and guidelines to mitigate the risk of transmission of virus.He said that any kind of laxity won’t be tolerated in the larger public interest and strict action shall be taken against those violating advisories that include using face masks and maintaining social distancing.The DC further informed that so far about 27000 tests have been conducted in the district among which 1710 positive cases have been reported and about 948 patients have recovered from the virus, thereby leaving only 705 active cases besides 57 deaths.Dr Itoo further informed that about 93 shops have so far been sealed for violating the prescribed guidelines and an amount of Rs 60,000 was realized as fine from them.Meanwhile, DC said that special arrangements have been put in place in view of forthcoming festival of Eid-ul-Adha wherein all essential commodities shall be facilitated in a convenient manner.
He also said that sufficient stock of cattle and poultry birds have been arranged to avoid any inconvenience to people.The DC appealed people to follow SOPs and guidelines especially using face masks adding that about 6 lakh masks were distributed by the administration so far.He also urged upon the vulnerable persons including senior citizens, pregnant women and others suffering from comorbidities, to desist from coming out of their homes unnecessarily to safeguard themselves from the virus.