Why to delay ensuring SOPs

There has been further increase in the number of daily Covid-19 cases across Jammu & Kashmir while a death has also been reported Sunday in the Union Territory, indicating a tizzy situation due to the pandemic here. The concerned health department has been claiming that it is ready to deal with any situation, but at the same time, there has been no change in the ground situation as yet again the people are seen without face masks, which could play a key role in preventing the spread of the deadly virus. Although the health experts have time and again stated that there is nothing to worry about the new variant of the Covid and it will not have any significant impact in Jammu & Kashmir, but the situation cannot be taken as easy, therefore ensuring the proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to prevent the virus from spreading is imperative at this juncture to avoid any major impact due to the new variant of Covid. The concerned department must not rely on preparedness only, but should come up with a proper statement in this regard, appealing people to follow the preventive measures in letter and spirit on the ground. There is a need to ensure face masks in the markets and other places so that the virus is prevented from spreading well on time and any possible increase in the number of the cases is avoided at this juncture.