Amid reports of mutant coronavirus cases in some parts of the country, the Jammu and Kashmir administration extended the existing lockdown and unlock measures by one month.
The state executive committee (SEC) issued the order after the Union home secretary, as chairperson of national executive committee, on Monday, issued guidelines for the implementation of extended lockdown in containment zones and continuation of unlock guidelines outside containment zones till January 31, 2021.
The SEC orders stated that all existing protocols will continue to be valid till January 31. The instructions come after a few cases of mutant coronavirus, which was first reported in the UK, were found in passengers who have returned from the UK.
Meanwhile, the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) sounded alert and urged health authorities in Kashmir to prepare for potential spread of the new strain of Covid-19 in the Valley.
“We need to be prepared,” said DAK president and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
“We have to prepare in advance to deal with the virus. Advanced planning and preparedness is critical to help mitigate the impact of any eventuality. We need to intensify surveillance activities and gear up hospitals to prevent an outbreak,” Dr Nisar said.