Government issues SOPs for 90 red zones
As the coronavirus is spreading in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has issued standard operating procedures for the 90 red zones in the Union Territory — 72 in the Valley and 18 in the Jammu division.
100% lockdown
- The red zone will see a 100 per cent lockdown and will be completely sealed for any movement across its boundaries
- There would be intensive testing of all contacts (already being done), of neighbours and of all those with symptoms. In addition, there would be random sampling tests
- The guidelines for the red zones are aimed at preventing further transmission of the virus in the new clusters or areas
Earlier, the number of the red zones in the UT was 77.
As per the new guidelines, there would be strict “perimeter control” in the area of the containment zones to ensure that there was no unchecked inward or outward movement of people from the zones except for maintaining essential services, including medical emergencies and law and order duties and government business community.
Sources said the guidelines for the red zones were aimed at preventing further transmission of the virus in the new clusters or areas.
“Around 70,000 people have been screened in the 90 red zones while about 200 samples of suspected persons have been taken so far,” said sources.
The standard operating procedures (SOPs) said the areas with a significant number of the coronavirus cases or where there was suspicion of cluster transmission, based on the assessment by the Deputy Commissioner and the Chief Medical Officer, with the advice of the Superintendent of Police as well, would be declared red zones by the Deputy Commissioner concerned.
“The mapping (size of perimeter) of the red zone would be done depending on the size of the habitation, geographic distribution of the virus cases, proximity to other habitations, accessibility, geographical barriers and the mobility of positive persons. Intelligent demarcation of boundaries of the red zone will be done using roads and natural barriers,” the guidelines said.
The red zone will see a 100 per cent lockdown and will be completely sealed for any movement across its boundaries. “As far as possible, there shall be only one opening to the red zone to be manned by a naka party and a Magistrate. The only movement across the red zone boundaries would be for supplies (medical, grocery and vegetables), medical emergencies, fumigation, sanitation and enforcement/survey personnel,” the guidelines said.
“All entry and exit to the zone would be with the red zone passes and proper fumigation of vehicles, safety of personnel and safety tunnels. Surrounding villages/habitations will be declared as the buffer zones,” the guidelines read.
“The entire red zone will be under surveillance and the people will be contacted periodically for rechecking for symptoms.”
There would be intensive testing of all contacts (already being done), of neighbours and of all those with symptoms. In addition, there would be random sampling tests.
“With the increase in the load, doctors will not have time to do contact tracing. Therefore, separate teams will be constituted for contact tracing, so that the doctors can handle the medical load,” the guidelines said, adding that the tehsildar or other suitable officer will be the overall administrator of the red zone concerned.
“All frontline staff, especially medical personnel, will be protected from violence and cared for. No lawlessness will be tolerated.”
