Srinagar, June 08 (KNS): The District Disaster Management Authority or DDMA Srinagar has issued directions to essential services departments for strict adherence to notified norms in revised red zone areas of the district and has appealed to the people of these areas for taking precautions and strict observance of notified norms to contain spread of COVID-19 disease.
The instructions were issued in the meeting held here Monday under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner and Chairman DDMA Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary. During the meeting the status of testing in red zones was also reviewed.
It should be noted that the DDMA has issued an advisory for observance of precautions to residents of barious areas and places including Bhagwanpora 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.
These also include 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. Two hostels are also included in the list to whom the said advisories have been issued.
Meanwhile the DDMA has constituted a committee headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner Masarat Hashim for clubbing of contiguous red zones for better and effective management.
It is notable that so far nearly 24,000 persons have been tested for COVID-19 in Srinagar. These 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.
It should be noted that 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 GoI.

COVID-19 testing has also been prioritised for key service delivery professionals apart from frontline healthcare workers in different sectors of COVID-19 response system in Srinagar.
The residents of red zones have been advised to avoid moving out unless necessary, to ensure face masks are worn at all times at public places as has been made mandatory in the district, to strictly adhere to physical distancing norms and observe hygiene measures to avoid transmission.
DDMA Chairman Dr Shahid Iqbal has 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 the ground with greater public cooperation for strict adherence to norms.
During the meeting provision of 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.
The DDMA has also asked the concerned for focussed attention on patients with co-morbid conditions and continued special care for expecting mothers and the elderly people in the district.
Earlier, in a joint meeting of DC Srinagar, Principal GMC, Director Health Services Kashmir, Principal SKIMS Medical College and other senior officers from health a detailed review of Home Quarantine was conducted.
Persons recommended to be home quarantined, particularly contacts, have been advised to ensure strict observance of notified SOPs. Pertinently it has been made mandatory to obtain undertaking for home quarantine, installation of geo-fencing mobile application and display of quarantine poster, with instructions to response teams for regular visits.
The Srinagar administration has urged all people of the district to observe all recommended guidelines while being sent for home quarantine, particularly in view of instances of violations being reported. The joint meeting of officers also discussed measures for discharge of patients for home quarantine.(KNS)