On the directions of Director Information and Public Relations (DIPR), the District Information Centre (DIC), Bandipora in collaboration with District Administration Bandipora continued the renewed awareness campaign on Friday in Sumbal Sub Division asking people to adopt COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB).A team of officials of DIC Bandipora led by District Information Officer (DIO), Jahangeer Akhoon visited various markets, Public Places, Masjids and distributed face masks and pamphlets highlighting the importance of adopting CAB.Teams of DIC interacted with people and urged them to follow CAB to avoid the spread of virus. Hilal Ahmad, Rouf Bashir and Aijaz Gulzar of DIC team accompanied the officer.The campaign named ‘Tahafuz- Say No to New Wave’ has been launched at various platforms using all forms of media including distribution of posters, PAS, digital and social media. The DIO said the different teams have been constituted in the district and multimedia platforms have been used to appeal to the people to adopt CAB.He said with ease in restrictions it has been observed that people are not following CAB with fatigue factor being one of the reasons that arose the need to revive the awareness campaign to ask the people that pandemic is not over.
He said the teams visited various villages, markets and masjids of Sumbal sub division and appealed to the people to take precautions by avoiding large gatherings and use face masks and made announcements on Public Address Systems appealing people to follow COVID guidelines in letter and spirit.During the Awareness programme, the DIC appealed the general public through loudspeaker to strictly follow SOPs, which include usage of masks, proper hand washing, maintaining social distancing, avoiding gatherings and not venturing out of their homes unnecessarily to save themselves and others from contracting or transmitting viral infection.Akhoon said the teams also distributed masks in public places including markets and outside mosques to sensitize the people about CAB.He said the DIC is also using social media platform to create awareness by posting updates about COVID-19 and also publishing video bytes of some of the eminent personalities and opinion leaders of the district including religious leaders, popular doctors, sports personalities, journalists etc.During the campaign people were urged to wear masks while going out of their homes, keep physical distance and avoid visiting crowded places. Those who had even mild symptoms should undergo COVID-19 test as the District Administration has put in place arrangements to conduct a minimum of required tests a day to ensure early intervention.