Joint strategy needed to lift restrictions further

After a huge spike in the last two month, the daily Covid cases amid the second wave of pandemic are witnessing a decline in Jammu and Kashmir, thus giving a big relief among the people living in the Union Territory. The less positive rate in J&K has also lessened the burden on the doctors, who faced tremendous hardships in treating the patients during the last two months. However, as the cases started decreasing from the past one week, the government decided to start the unlock process in the Union Territory to bring a respite among the traders and others. The cases have started plummeting further in J&K following which the traders here in Srinagar and other districts of J&K have been demanding easing of restrictions further. There is a need to consider further lifting of curbs in Jammu and Kashmir in wake of the losses suffered by the traders, transporters and others. But, as the lives matter, the government should pass strict directions to the traders with regard to ensuring all the Standard operating Procedures (SOP) are followed in letter and spirit. As the need of unlock arises, the SOPs must not go for a toss. The traders and transporters must come up with a solution with regard to ensuring SOPs after unlock to prevent the possible third wave of Covid here in Jammu and Kashmir. The demands of unlock should be considered only after the government will receive an assurances from the traders and others in writing about the adherence to the SOPs. The businesses must resume but not at the cost of the lives of people, therefore, a joint strategy is needed to lift the restrictions further and ensure the virus is prevented from spreading at the same time.