Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 6: Expressing concern over the increase in the number of COVID positive cases in the Valley, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry has appealed to the members of the business community to renew the focus on strict adherence to regular sanitization and maintaining safe distances in their business establishments and markets.
“It is important to underline the importance of strictly following the COVID protocols as in many cases youth who themselves possess strong immune systems tend to infect other vulnerable sections of the society with weaker immune systems like the elderly or those with medical conditions,” said a spokesperson of KCCI.
The spokesperson further said that due to the onset of summer, there was a visible reduction in the wearing of masks in public places because of its discomfort and also negligence in maintaining of safe social distances. “People have started thronging public parks and picnic spots which is a matter of grave concern and alarm. The situation gets worse on weekends and holidays,” he added.
Pertinent to mention that first three months of COVID pandemic resulted in the deaths of 64 people in Jammu and Kashmir. However, from 18th June onwards, 67 deaths have occurred in a span of only two weeks. The majority of the 127 deaths – 113 to be exact -have occurred in Kashmir. The Health Department has reported increase in the severe and symptomatic cases coming to hospitals.
KCCI said that the Government had relaxed the guidelines to accommodate the genuine concerns of the business community but the responsibility of keeping the markets safe is to be equally shared by the respective business community as well. “It needs to be noted that ignoring the threat of COVID could prove disastrous for the whole society. The business leaders, elders of civil society and families are requested to play their role in controlling the serious ramifications of this invisible pandemic,” the spokesperson said.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry has reiterated its earlier appeal to avoid unnecessary movement to the commercial areas. In addition, measures like keeping a safe distance of two metres, frequent washing of hands, proper wearing of N95 Masks, avoiding touching of eyes, nose, mouth and unsafe surfaces need to be taken seriously as mistakes can be dangerous and inflict heavy costs for the whole community,” KCCI spokesperson said.
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