COVID-19: J & K Epidemic Disease Regulations 2020 extended to entire Jammu and Kashmir

The government on Tuesday extended J & K Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 to both the divisions of Jammu and Kashmir to step up efforts to tackle the contagious coronavirus disease.

The regulations were extended to the whole of J & K under the orders of Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu which define powers, duties and responsibilities to the surveillance personnel, duties and responsibilities of medical officers and practitioners, enforcement & offences.

Meanwhile, according to the daily media bulletin on novel coronavirus, 2615 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance and, so far, three cases have tested positive in Jammu and Kashmir.

Whereas, 2060 persons have been kept under home quarantine and 28 are in hospital quarantine.

Persons who are under home surveillance stand at 297 while 230 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.

Further, the bulletin said that 113 samples have been sent for testing, of which 105 tested as negative and three cases have tested positive, so far, while reports of five cases are awaited till March 17, 2020.

The government has urged the general public to maintain social distancing as it is the key to stop and prevent the spread of COVID-19 from those who are infected.

"The intervention includes remaining out of crowded settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible," the government advisory said.

Further, the government has appealed people not to panic and take care of health and protect others.

"Public, in general, is advised to avoid unnecessary travel and use of public transport; avoid crowded places and large gatherings, do not spit in public. People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent handwashing with soap and water and observing coughing and sneezing etiquettes," the government advisory added.

A total of 137 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in India so far.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic and said that Europe has emerged as the new epicentre of the disease.