Markets reopen after weekend Covid curfew

Srinagar, June 14: Normal life across Kashmir resumed on Monday after two days of weekend Covid curfew. All the roads and market places, including Lal Chowk, reopened after remaining sealed to prevent movement of people during the past two days.

Reports said there were no restrictions in Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara in the north and Shopian, Anantnag, Pulwama and Kulgam in south Kashmir. Shops and business establishments reopened according to unlock guidelines.

Standalone shops of all types have been allowed to open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the city, whereas Outdoor Bazaars and Outdoor Shopping complexes shall be allowed to operate on Mondays and Thursdays. Markets having shops on both sides of the road will function on a rotational basis following which business establishments on one-side will be allowed to open on one day and the other side on another day.

Shops were allowed to open on one side while the business establishments on the other side of the road remained closed in compliance with the recent government order in Lal Chowk and other markers in Srinagar, where public transport, including cabs, hit the roads.

However, class work remained suspended as educational institutes including schools, colleges, universities and private coaching centres have been directed to remain closed till June 15 in Kashmir.

All clubs, gyms and parks would also remain closed till further orders in Kashmir where weekend and night curfew would continue.

The ease in the lockdown has come in the backdrop of decline in the number of COVID-19 positive cases.

In the last week of May, Jammu and Kashmir administration had extended the COVID curfew, which was supposed to end on May 23, by another week till May 31 in all 20 districts of the Union Territory amid no letup in the number of fresh coronavirus cases and deaths.