Srinagar, The mega vaccination drive continued for the second successive day on Tuesday in different parts of Srinagar city, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital.
Meanwhile, markets were partially open while traffic was plying normally in Srinagar and other parts of the valley following ease in the COVID restrictions announced earlier this month due to significant decline in the number of fresh Coronavirus positive cases.
However, class work remained suspended as educational institutes — including schools, colleges, universities and private coaching centres — have been directed to remain closed till June 15 in the valley. All cinema halls, multiplexes, clubs, gyms, spas and paid parks also remained closed till further orders in the valley, where weekend and night curfew continued
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammed Aijaz Asad on Monday inaugurated vaccination melas in different parts of the city in order to improve vaccination coverage and to sensitize people about importance of anti-Covid-19 vaccination.
Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), amalgam of leading socio-religious organizations of J&K, on Monday also appealed to the people to get vaccinated to fight COVID-19 pandemic that has affected the entire world, saying that the reluctance to get a jab is unreasonable.
The MMU, which is led by Mirwaiz Maulvi Umar Farooq, said that the reluctance among many for voluntary vaccination, especially in some parts of Srinagar, need to be shunned at once.
Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday announced further ease in the COVID restrictions in eight districts in the Union Territory in view of significant decline in the number of fresh Coronavirus positive cases.
An order issued by the J&K administration said further relaxation in COVID restrictions have been granted in eight districts, including Poonch, Reasi, Ramban and Doda in Jammu division and Shopian, Kulgam, Ganderbal and Bandipora in Kashmir.
Good number of pubic traffic, with 50 per cent seat capacity, was plying on all roads in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley, where markets were partially open even as shops and business establishments have been allowed to open on rotational basis.
The DC Srinagar said that some areas in the city, including Khanyar and S R Gunj, have low vaccination rate. “Vaccination is a very important tool to fight COVID pandemic. It is the only weapon which we have right now to defeat the pandemic that has affected the entire world,” Mr Asad said.
Mr Asad said that the overall rate of vaccination has improved in the district even as a sufficient number of COVID jabs are available. “A good number of people have been vaccinated in most areas in Srinagar. But, in some pockets, including Khanyar and S R Gunj, people are still reluctant to get COVID jabs due to misinformation. This has resulted in less vaccination rate in these areas,” he said.
The DC said that the basic purpose of organizing vaccination melas is to further speed up the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination procces in Srinagar and to make people aware about the significance of inoculating anti Covid-19 vaccine.
He said facilities have been made available at the nearest possible locations for public. He said these locations have been chosen on the demand of local Trade bodies and other stakeholders as people including Traders, Transporters, Shopkeepers, Street vendors travelers etc visit these areas in large numbers.
The DC said beneficiaries are being inoculated Covid vaccine during different time slots in consultation with local Trade bodies and other Stakeholders to ensure strict adherence to the Covid-19 SOPs.
The DC also interacted with the Medical staff and beneficiaries and said not Vaccine but Vaccination is the magic bullet to get protected from Covid-19 infection. He said we can defeat Covid pandemic only by Vaccination and strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.
(Agencies)
