DDMA issues advisory for Red Zones; Reviews COVID-19 testing

Srinagar: District Disaster Management Authority, Srinagar issued directions to essential services department for adherence to notified norms in revised Red Zones of district, and also appealed to the public of these areas for taking precautions and strict observance of notified norms to avoid spread of COVID-19. The status of testing in Red Zones was also reviewed.
Advisory for observance of precautions has been issued to residents of colonies including Bhagwan pora Lal Bazar, Eidgah ,MIG Colony Bemina, Hyderpora, Soiteng Lasjan, Nowshera, Narwara, Solina, Habbak, Zadibal, Zaina kadal, Narkara, Palpora, Nehru Park, Saidpora Eidgah, Nawakadal, Kak sarai, Fateh Kadal , Al Farooq colony Bemina, Iqbalabad Bemina , Housing Colony Bemina, Narwara, Awanta Bhawan, Jeelanabad habak, Rainawari , Baaghat , Chattabal , Saderbal ,Ali Abad Tailbal, Nishat, Sanantnagar Batamalo, Budgair, Brein Nishat , Zakura , Balhama, Koolipora, HMT, Khonmoh, Guzarbal ,Rajbagh, Natipora, Rawalpora ,Umarabad HMT, Fateh Kadal , Qamarwari Nai Sadak Basantbagh , Barbarshah, Hawal, Soura, Gundipora, Naseem Bagh, Lawaypora, Sonwar, Peerbagh and two hostels . Meanwhile DDMA constituted committee headed by ADC Mr Masarat Hashim for clubbing of contiguous Red Zones for better and effective management.
Nearly 24,000 persons have been tested for Covid in Srinagar so far which include 6549 persons in notified Red Zones, 10,121 travellers at various quarantine centres, 4100 passengers arriving by Air, 2112 at transit locations and nearly 1300 at hospitals. Testing has been made compulsory in Red Zones for all persons with symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and other conditions with similar symptoms as notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Testing has also been prioritised for key service delivery professionals apart from frontline healthcare workers in different sectors of COVID response system.
The residents of Red Zones have been advised to avoid moving out unless necessary, mandatory wearing of masks as has been notified for the district, strict adherence to physical distancing norms and observing hygiene measures to avoid transmission.
DDMA Chairman, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary asked the Additional District Magistrates of 5 Zones to reach out to the people in coordination with Zonal Superintendents of Police, Zonal Administrative Officers and concerned Magistrates for effective measures on ground with greater public cooperation for strict adherence to norms. Essential services in Red Zones were also reviewed, meanwhile all Government and Private offices in these zones have been asked to minimise the staff strength and take special measures for observation of norms at work places. It also asked for focussed attention for patients with co-morbid conditions, continued care for expected women and elderly.
Earlier, in a joint meeting of DC Srinagar, Principal GMC, Director Health Services Kashmir, Principal SKIMS Medical College and other senior officers from health the detailed review of Home Quarantine was conducted. Persons recommended to be home quarantine, particularly contacts, have been advised for strict observance of notified SOPs. Pertinently it has been made mandatory to obtain undertaking for home quarantine, installation of geo-fencing App and display of quarantine poster , with instructions to response teams for regular visits. The administration urged the people to observe the recommended guidelines while being sent for Home Quarantine, particularly in view of instances of violations being reported. The team of officers also discussed measures for discharge of patients for home quarantine.