Mubashir Bukhari
Jammu (NVI): Amid growing coronavirus scare, Jammu and Kashmir government ordered the closure of all educational institutions across the Union Territory till March 31.
Addressing media in Jammu, Director, NHM Bhupinder Kumar said that government has decided that all government and private schools, colleges and universities across Jammu and Kashmir will remain closed till March 31.
“Teaching and class work shall remain suspended in these institutions till this period. However, Board and other competitive examinations shall be conducted by the authorities as per schedule,” he said.
Kumar said that the public is advised to maintain social distance and avoid unnecessary travels and use of public transport.
Spelling out measures being taken up to control and prevent spread of this virus, the director informed that control rooms and surveillance teams have been constituted in all the districts of UT. Besides that, two coronavirus lab testing facilities have already been made functional in SKIMS, Srinagar and GMC, Jammu.
Giving a detailed break up on the COBID-19 suspected cases in the UT till date, he informed that 1,211 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under active surveillance; 150 of these have completed surveillance period of 28 days while as 12 are undergoing hospital quarantine.
Kumar added that 64 samples of suspected cases have been sent for testing so far; 28 have reported negative, 1 has tested positive and report of 35 is still awaited.
Urging people to contribute in tackling the situation, Kumar appealed all incoming passengers returning to J&K having travel history to China, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Japan, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Iran, Malaysia, France, Spain and Germany, to undergo self-imposed quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival.
Kumar also said that the government has urged citizens especially those with travel history to affected countries such as China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, etc., to self declare immediately and to report to the nearest government health facility if any symptoms are found.
He maintained that novel coronavirus has no definite treatment so prevention is best and every person has a capacity to contribute in this situation. He urged the public to maintain social distance and avoid unnecessary travel and use of public transport. He reiterated that citizens must take basic precautions such as personal hygiene, hand washing, coughing and sneezing etiquettes and must avoid touching of face, eyes, nose and also report any symptoms (fever, difficult breathing and cough) to the medical authorities immediately in order to contain the virus.
The government also advised people not to panic and to rely on the information released by the administration and health officials in this regard.
Earlier in the day, Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu ordered the closure of all educational institutions, public clubs and stadiums within the district’s limits.
He said that Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has taken the step as a preventive measure to keep the viral infection away while adding that the decision would allow the municipal body to sterilise and sanitise schools and colleges.
“Under a special set of statutory provisions, SMC has ordered closure of all educational institutions, public clubs, sports clubs, indoor and open stadiums, coaching centers within #Srinagar City Limits till further orders. The order within SMC limits takes effect from tomorrow,” he tweeted earlier today.
