J&K extends Covid lockdown till May 31
L-G says strict restrictions will be observed, only a few essential services will be allowed
JAMMU: In a bid to arrest the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday extended the lockdown in the Union territory till 7am on May 31.
The L-G said a strict lockdown will be observed across the UT and only a few essential services will be allowed. Deputy commissioners have been given limited flexibility to ensure economic activities do not suffer, the L-G wrote on his Twitter handle.
Chairing a series of meetings with the Covid task force, DCS and superintendents of police from across the UT, the L-G said, “Work round-the-clock to ensure the availability of necessary medicare facilities, besides laying a strong rapid response mechanism in all districts in order to deal with the emerging situation.”
“The rate of vaccination and testing and effective management of Covid Care Centres will be the parameters for monitoring performance of the officers,”
Sinha said, directing DCS of districts where the vaccination rate was low to scale up inoculation. He also directed divisional commissioners and DCS to streamline the process of issuance of passes.
Timelines set for centres While reviewing the districtwise status of preparations being made to contain the spread of coronavirus in rural areas, the L-G set timelines for establishment of five-bedded Covid Care Centres at panchayat-level across J&K.
“We are decentralising Covid management, which is essential for an effective and efficient public health system. Focus on strengthening primary health care in rural areas. There is a need to increase the availability and accessibility of healthcare support system in far flung areas,” he said, while instructing the principal secretary, rural development department to lay a comprehensive mechanism for monitoring the operationalisation of Covid care centres in panchayats.
Sinha called for timely payments under MGNREGA, and continuous extension of benefits of different beneficiary oriented schemes. He asked the rural development and social welfare departments to monitor implementation of welfare measures during the pandemic.