KARGIL, MAY 11, 2021: In view of the surge in COVID-19 positive cases, increase in positive rate across district in the recent days and as per the advice of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare GoI to all District Magistrates to undertake containment measures to restrict intermingling amongst people so that spread of infection can be controlled, District Magistrate and Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve on Monday issued an order for imposition of complete restriction on all kinds of movements/activities in Kargil District.

The order reads that based on assessment with Health Department, District Disaster management Authority, Kargil has taken various measures to contain transmission of COVID 19 and has imposed restrictions time to time, adding a thorough assessment of the current COVID-19 situation has been carried out with all concerned departments and it is felt that additional restrictions need to be imposed to contain fast spread of virus.

The order comes into effect from 11th May, 2021 (Tuesday) 9:00 PM to 17th May, 2021 (Monday) 07:00 AM except for the categories which shall be allowed during the restricted period including the government employees to be allowed to commute to/from on the production of valid identity card and /or duty roster, all Judicial Officers/ Officials/Staff of all courts in the district on production of valid ID/other proof.

The categories also include Essential and Emergency Services such as Health and Family Welfare, all related Government /Private Medical Establishments (such as Hospitals, Diagnostic Centres, Testing Labs, Clinics/Pharmacies/Opticians/Medial Oxygen Suppliers and other Medical/Health Services such as Supply of Medical Instruments, Consumables, Sanitation, Transport, Security etc., Police, Prison, Home Guards, Civil Defence, Officials/Staff on duty at Airport, Disaster Management, Electricity, Water, Sanitation, Food & Civil Supplies, Banks, Telecom Services Providers, Employees on COVID-29 duties etc on the production of valid identify card/ travel pass.

Commercial and Private Establishments such as Petrol Pumps, LPG Bottling Plants/Depots, ATMs, and Armed Forces/Paramilitary movement, Medical Emergencies/beneficiaries of the COVID vaccination /COVID testing on the production of online Registration ID/ Certificate of first dose /any other proof, Electronic and Print Media on the production of valid identity card shall also be allowed during the restricted period, the order reads.

The order further states that Public Transport shall not be allowed to function during this period and the passengers including tourists travelling to /from outside Kargil District by air shall be allowed to commute on the production of boarding passes /air tickets.

The order reads that all groceries /vegetables /milk and meat shops etc shall be allowed to open as per the schedule annexed to the aforesaid order.

Gathering of more than 5 persons shall be restricted while as all social /political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic /cultural /religious and other gathering and large congregation shall be prohibited and funeral /last rites (attended by up to 20 persons) may be allowed with the prior permission of the District Magistrate, the order maintains.

The order states that all the employees of government and private offices /institutions shall function/operate at a maximum capacity of 50% as per roster devised by the respective controlling officers.

All Kargil bound vehicles including the load carriers/commercial taxis coming from outside the district shall be allowed with strict compliance of COVID-19 SOPs of the UT/District Administration and the transportation of vegetables/perishable/fuel items from outside district and its supply within the district shall be allowed on production of relevant proof, the order reads.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Kargil and the Chief Executive Officer, DDMA (Additional District Magistrate, Kargil), ARTO/Traffic Police, Sub Divisional Magistrates, Executive Magistrates 1st Class and Duty Magistrate COVID SOPs, Enforcement Squads shall ensure implementation of the directives in letter and spirit, the order reads.

The order reads that any violations of the instructions shall invite penal action under Section 188 of IPC, Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Epidemic Disease Act, 1897.

The order further states that chemist shops shall remain open on all days (24×7), fruits & vegetables shops on all days from 7:00AM to 04:00 PM, milk and milk products on all days from 7:00 AM to 01:00 PM, bakery and sweet shops on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 AM to 01:00 PM, general stores and grocery shops on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:00 AM to 04:00 PM, Nanwayee /Tandoor shops on all days from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM and meat and chicken shops on all days from 7:00 AM to 01:00 PM.