STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday announced that higher educational institutions and skill development centres can reopen in a phased manner for on-site learning post-July 31 provided students and staff are vaccinated.
“The public and private educational institutions are permitted to seek personal attendance of limited vaccinated staff for administrative purposes while Higher educational institutions and Skill development centers may be considered for phased re-opening for onsite learning after July 31, 2021, subject to the vaccination status of the students and staff,” reads an order issued by Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary and Chairperson, State Executive Committee.
“In exercise of the powers conferred up on it under Section 24 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, hereby orders that the guidelines/instructions on COVID containment in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir already notified vide Government Orders 35 and 36 – JK (DMRRR) of 2021 dated May 29, 2021 read with Government Orders 49 – JK (DMRRR) of 2021 dated July 11, 2021 shall continue to remain in force till further orders. However, Deputy Commissioners may allow shops as per above order to open at 6:00 AM instead of 7:00 AM to avoid rush on 19th and 20th of July as per their assessment,” the ordered stated.
It further stated, “All Deputy Commissioners shall focus on the positivity rates of the medical blocks under their jurisdictions. Intensified measures, related to COVID management and restriction of activities will have to be taken by the DCs in these blocks.”
“All Deputy Commissioners shall keep active track of the positivity rates in these Blocks and consider implementing stricter control measures in closed clustered spaces like Public/ Private Offices, Community halls, Malls, Bazaars etc., in case weekly positivity rate goes beyond 4 per cent in these Blocks,” its stated and added “The three – “T” protocol of testing, tracking and treating, besides vaccination, needs to strengthened in these Blocks. The proportion of RT-PCR tests in the total mix should be scaled up, on best effort basis, to 70 % or more, excluding travelers.”
“Positive cases so detected as a result of intensive testing need to be isolated/quarantined at the earliest and their contacts should also be traced at the earliest, and similarly isolated/quarantined and tested, if needed,” it stated and added, “Quick isolation and treatment of COVID-19 patients shall be ensured in treatment facilities/hospitals/homes.”
“The Directorate of H&ME, J&K shall ensure adequate availability of COVID dedicated health and logistics (including ambulatory) infrastructure, based on their assessment of the case trajectory and MD, NHM in consultation with the DCs shall take up Panchayat level mapping and data capturing for tracking the positivity rates on weekly basis in all Panchayats,” the order further stated.
It added, “The District Magistrates shall strictly ensure that there is full compliance to COVID appropriate behavior and defaulters are firmly dealt with under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act and the Indian Penal Code. The District Magistrates shall constitute joint teams of Police and Executive Magistrates for enforcement of COVID Appropriate Behaviour.”
“The joint teams shall submit daily report regarding activities carried out by them and their assessment of compliance level. DCs will initiate campaigns for ensuring COVID appropriate behavior Dedicated IEC, including Public Announcements through mobile vehicles must be undertaken,” the order stated.