Srinagar: First Coronavirus Case in Old City Disrupts Life in Kashmir, Restrictions Imposed

Srinagar: A day after Kashmir valley reported its first COVID-19 case in the densely populated old-city area of Srinagar, the state government has stepped up restrictions in most parts of the city to thwart an outbreak.

Authorities in the region claimed that a female resident of Khanyar, in Srinagar, with a travel history, arrived in India on March 16 and tested positive for COVID-19.

Following confirmation, authorities immediately imposed restrictions on assembly, public gathering and movement in many areas to avoid the spread of the disease.

With the restrictions in place however, scores of people rushed to purchase essential items including food grains, gas and other essential commodities.

People also gathered at petrol pump stations and ATMs resulting in long queues. Even as scores of entry and exit routes were restricted by authorities, many areas in the city witnessed massive traffic jams due to the commotion.

“There is possibility that a stricter, curfew-like situation might arise in the city. So I am buying all the stocks and essential supplies beforehand,” a resident from Hyderpora said.

In other areas like Lal Chowk, a popular commercial hub, markets appeared deserted with a few shops opened in wake of the restrictions.

All means of public transport including buses, mini buses and cabs services have been stopped in the region as a part of the preventive measures taken against the coronavirus which has claimed over 8800 lives globally and infected over 2,20,000 people worldwide.

People hailed the decision of restrictions in Kashmir but expressed concerns over lack of adequate medical facilities to deal with a health crisis of such nature. “The only way to survive this is not to be dependent on the existing healthcare system. Going into self-quarantine is the only hope for us which makes the restrictions more relevant," Basharat Ahmad told NewsClick.

In fact, the medical staff at Srinagar's premier health institute SKIMS is currently being monitored for symptoms. A staff doctor had recently come in contact with a patient who had tested positive, officials claimed. Following the incident, many of the staff are taking prerequisite precautions.

The government has banned entry of foreigners, travelers and visitors to Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The case of an Italian couple who apparently came into Srinagar on Wednesday created a furore against the Government for its purported inability to implement orders. District Magistrate Shahid Choudhary, told NewsClick, however, that they had been in the country for over a month and had been screened before being allowed entry at the airport.

People in the region, however, expressed severe discomfort against the government's directive to continue the ban on internet speed. Many referred to it as an insensitivity towards the people of Kashmir at the time of a global health crisis.

Many netizens are asking the government officials to restore 4G internet services as soon as possible to help them keep up with online information regarding the pandemic.

Even though patient has been confirmed positive, experts believe there can be a sudden outburst in the coming week by following the pattern in which the infection has spread in other affected regions.

“Avoid visiting hospitals and unnecessary stretching of facilities. Stay home as far as possible and practice routine hygiene measures (cough etiquette, hand wash, social distancing). Avoid crowds..no mubarak or taziyat (phone call should do). Seems we are in for a long haul (sic)," Parvaiz Koul, a doctor from SKIMS, wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, the university of Kashmir has suspended all academic and administrative activities across all its campuses till March 28 and postponed all the interviews scheduled up to March 31, according to an official statement.