In view of the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country, all universities, colleges and schools in Jammu and Kashmir shall remain closed for imparting on-campus/in-person education to the students till May 15, 2021. Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha announced this decision after a high-level meeting to review the COVID-19 situation. The meeting witnessed some major decisions in the direction of containment for mitigating the spread of the virus.
After a detailed discussion, the decision was taken to keep all Universities and Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir closed for imparting on-campus/in-person education to the students till May 15, 2021, except for the courses/programs that require physical presence of students on account of laboratory/ research/thesis work and internship etc. Colleges will move to online teaching mode.
In view of the surge in the cases, restrictions on public gatherings imposed. The ceiling on the number of people permitted to attend gatherings/functions limited to 20 in case of funerals; 50 for all kinds of gatherings at indoor venues and 100 for all kinds of gatherings at outdoor venues.
The Lieutenant Governor passed the necessary directions for strict enforcement of the existing guideline for compulsory testing of all incoming passengers to Jammu and Kashmir. All passengers or travelers coming to J&K, whether by rail, road or air, will have to compulsorily undergo a COVID-19 antigen test through any of the prescribed methods as per the protocol of the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
The Lt Governor directed all District Magistrates to put in place an effective mechanism to ensure COVID appropriate behaviour in all crowded markets. Shopping complexes and Malls, besides taking stern action against the violators. In this regard, necessary cooperation and support of the local Bazaar/market associations may also be taken, he added.
During the meeting, the District Superintendents of Police directed to ensure that Matadors, Buses. Minibusses, and other modes of public transport plying strictly as per their registered/authorized seating capacity. The Lt Governor was briefed about the latest update on the surge in Covid cases, Covid testing capacities, trends of daily testing, district wise trend of active cases, infrastructure for covid management viz bed capacity, ventilators, oxygen generation plants besides logistics with the health care institutions in J&K, district-wise vaccination coverage.
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