Feroz Ahmed Khan, CEC, Kargil reviewed the status of ongoing lockdown measures and to take further decisions on the continuation of restrictions and relaxations after June 30 in Kargil.
 
EC Health, Muhammad Ali Chandan; District Magistrate, Baseer ul Haq Choudhary heads of religious organizations, concerned officers of the Administration, doctors, and representatives of Merchants’ Association were present in the meeting held on June 29.
 
Chief Medical Officer, Kargil informed about the details of active positive cases, total patients cured and those in administrative and home isolation and quarantine besides the number of inbound passengers screened at the screening centers so far. He said that 22,505 inbound passengers have been screened so far while 16,592 persons are under home quarantine till now. Out of 701 active cases diagnosed so far, 432 patients have been cured and discharged. There has been no single case of mortality in the district so far with 99% cases reported asymptomatic and the rate of recovery has gone up to 65%.
 
Meanwhile, the representatives of religious organizations and the members of Merchants’ Association put forth their suggestions and recommendations in terms of relaxations and restrictions post-June 30, 2020. They urged the authorities to consider relaxations to promote economic activities in the district considering the short working season and other seasonal limitations.
 
Feroz Ahmed Khan said that the decision concerning continuance and modification of lockdown restrictions and relaxations post-June 30, 2020 will be taken in the best interest of the people. He said that the objective of the lockdown measures would be focused on maintaining a proper balance between economic activities and people’s safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
 
Talking about the educational institution, he said that there is no plan to open schools and colleges in the district. Online as well as offline video classes are being run to cater to the educational requirements of the student community. He said that the matter about the mass promotion of classes 1st to 9th will be jointly taken up by the LAHDCs of Leh and Kargil with the UT Administration Ladakh.
 
He said that relaxations in terms of resumption of religious gatherings would be taken in a phased manner subject to the ground situation which unfolds in the days to come.
 
Baseer ul Haq Choudhary said that relaxations during the post-June 30, 2020 period would be given in a controlled and regulated manner, ensuring the safety of people’s lives in the times of the Coronavirus pandemic and to carry out economic activities in a regulated manner.
 
He said that there is no restriction on the engagement of laborers from outside the district for carrying out construction activities provided they follow the 14 days mandatory home quarantine measures in letter and spirit and remain confined to the worksite.
 
Baseer ul Haq Chaudhary said that the containment of COVID-19 in the district has only been made possible due to the coordinated efforts of the various stakeholders.