Weekend lockdown imperative

The pandemic is tightening its grip across Jammu and Kashmir like the other parts of the country. The pandemic is worsening with each passing day as more and more people are testing positive for the deadly COVID-19. Over 1900 positive cases are being reported on a regular basis across Jammu and Kashmir while Srinagar, the summer capital of the Union Territory is recording the highest cases. Shockingly, the summer capital has recorded 6,464 cases in the last 15 days while the active positive cases have crossed 5400 mark. The situation is turning bad from worse and thus making it compulsory for the administration to take necessary steps to combat the virus. In such a scenario, the people too have responsibility to follow the set Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent the virus from spreading. At this juncture, the government has ordered Corona curfew across the Union Territory from Saturday evening till Monday morning, which will definitely help in reducing the number of positive cases. However, there is a need to consider the weekend lockdown every week on Saturdays and Sundays to help further combating the virus. Instead of going ahead with the 50 per cent opening of shops, the government should consider only weekend lockdown here across Jammu and Kashmir as it will help in curbing the public movement and thus simultaneously can also help in reducing the daily cases of Coronavirus bring detected in the Union territory, especially in Srinagar.