Buses/mini-buses to operate with limited capacity
Inter-State/inter-province movement remains restricted
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 7: ‘Unlock 1.0′ will begin in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow with the Government giving nod to opening of hotels and hospitality services at 50 percent capacity, all shopping Malls except in Red district where they will operate with 50 percent shops on alternate days and movement of intra-district and inter-district public passenger transport with two-third seating capacity for buses and 50 percent for mini-buses on routes to be notified by the Transport Department with only JKSRTC permitted in Red districts.
However, all religious places and the places of worship will remain closed till further orders, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for `Unlock 1.0′ beginning June 8 issued today by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, who also happened to be the Chairperson, State Executive Committee (SEC), said.
In the limits of Municipal Corporations, shops will remain open from 9 am till 7 pm i.e. an increase of two hours as presently the shops were allowed to open till 5 pm. Movement of individuals for all non-essential services will remain restricted from 8 pm to 5 am as against present 7 pm to 7 am. The District Magistrates will issue prohibitory orders in the regard under Section 144 of CrPC.
“All social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions and other large gathering and congregations will remain prohibited. Religious places and places of worship will continue to remain closed for public till further orders,” the Government order said.
The Government has allowed resumption of hotels and hospitality services at 50 percent capacity. However, the hoteliers will have to follow a set of guidelines mentioned in the SOP released today. All restaurants including in hotels can operate for home delivery and take away only without dine-ins.
All Shopping Malls will open except in Red districts where they will operate with 50 percent of shops open on alternate days to be regulated by the concerned Deputy Commissioners. Shops in Malls will open from 9 am to 7 pm. However, Food Courts and dining facilities in Malls will not be allowed for dine-in purpose but home delivery/take away service has been permitted. Children’s gaming zones, gaming arcades and cinemas inside Malls shall stay closed.
The Government has also allowed opening of barber shops, saloons and parlours subject to the SOP for such establishment separately which will be enforced strictly.
As reported exclusively by the Excelsior, intra-district public passenger transport vehicles (buses and mini-buses only and not maxi-cabs) can operate with up to 2/3rd seating capacity for buses and up to 50 percent seating capacity for mini-buses on routes to be notified by Transport Department with only JKSRTC permitted in Red districts.
“Inter-district public passenger transport vehicles (buses and mini-buses only and not maxi-cabs) can operate with up to 2/3rd seating capacity for buses and up to 50 percent seating capacity for mini-buses by JKSRTC only on routes to be notified by the Transport Department,” the UT Government said.
All private offices in Orange districts have been allowed to operate with full strength of staff, self-regulated by office Incharge. Sports activities have also been allowed in stadia and sports complexes but without presence of spectators in urban areas.
In Green districts, the Government has also permitted maxi-cabs with four passengers to operate within the district or between Green districts only. Kishtwar and Doda are the only two Green districts in Jammu and Kashmir.
In Green districts, the inter-district public passenger transport vehicles (buses and mini-buses only) can operate with up to 2/3rd seating capacity for buses and 50 percent for mini-buses by any operator on routes to be notified by the Transport Department between contiguous Green districts.
In Red districts, there will be complete prohibition on inter-district movement of individuals between Green/Orange districts on one side and Red districts on the other, between two Red districts and crossing a Red district. Intra-district and inter-district public transport will be run by the JKSRTC only with 2/3rd seating capacity for buses and 50 percent for mini-buses on routes to be identified by the Transport Department. Private offices will function with 100 percent attendance but with passes for the staff.
The activities which will remain prohibited in the entire Union Territory include inter-UT/State and inter-province public transport and private vehicles besides all schools, colleges, Universities, educational/training/coaching institutions (including Anganwadi centers) will remain closed. However, online/distance learning shall be permitted. Their offices can continue to function for administrative purposes.
All cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, Spas, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar place will also remain shut across the UT.
Earlier in the day, the J&K Government revised categorization of the districts in Red, Orange and Green Zones by removing Samba and Kathua districts of Jammu excepting Lakhanpur town, the gateway of the Union Territory falling in Kathua district, from Red Zone and placing them in Orange Zone category. Lakhanpur will remain Red/Containment Zone with a 500-metre buffer as number of people are still returning to homes from different parts of the country.
All districts of Kashmir province except Ganderbal and Bandipora districts stayed in Red Zone category along with Ramban district of Jammu region.
Seven districts of Jammu region including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch besides two districts of Kashmir-Bandipora and Ganderbal-have been placed in Orange Zone while Doda and Kishtwar districts of Jammu will remain as Green Zones.
The Government has also revised protocol for quarantine of the persons on their arrival to Jammu and Kashmir by air, trains and buses.
Three more categories of persons will be allowed home quarantine for 14 days after sampling on arrival for RTPCR testing.
They include business travelers by air /rail to J&K on business/ industrial visits with a confirmed return air/rail ticket booking within four days, confirmed hotel reservation and a business ID proof and business travelers by road on business/ industrial visits with an undertaking to return within four days, a confirmed hotel reservation and business ID.
The ambulance drivers of J&K on dropping patients outside the UT will also be allowed home quarantine if they return within 36 hours of leaving Lakhanpur.
Other categories of persons which are already permitted home quarantine on returning to J&K include pregnant women in the last trimester with a doctor’s certificate of pregnancy, cancer patients on chemotherapy, chronically ill/organ transplant/IVF patients, discharged from a hospital after surgical procedure, dialysis patients with a doctor’s certificate of being on dialysis, mothers with infants below one year, children below 10 years travelling alone without a family member, Government of India personnel on bonafide Government duty and travelers with an RTPCR Test Negative Certificate from an ICMR approved laboratory/testing facility, not older than two days (48 hours) before the arrival date.
Workplace not to be closed for one or two cases
While easing restrictions further during ‘Unlock 1.0′ beginning tomorrow, the Government has also put in place a mechanism to deal with increase in Coronavirus cases.
According to the SOP, if there is just one case reported at the workplace, the disinfection procedure will be limited to places/areas visited by the patient in past 48 hours and entire office/building will not be closed. Work will resume after disinfection.
However, if there is a large outbreak with two or more positives, entire building will be closed for 48 hours for thorough disinfection. The staff will work from home till the building is adequately disinfected and declared fit for reoccupation.
The Government has permitted industrial activities with 100 percent work force in Green, Orange and Red districts in the Industrial Estates. Industrial activities in rural areas will also resume with 100 percent work force. However, in Urban areas in Red and Orange districts, for industries within Municipal limited, industrial activities can resume with the permission and 75 percent workforce.
All workshops, service centres and home workshops will operate with not more than five persons working on site/inside premises.
HIGHLIGHTS
l Religious places will remain closed.
l Barber shops/ saloons and parlours to open in entire J&K (subject to an SOP to be issued on 08-06-2020).
l Restaurants will function only for home delivery and take-aways.
l Shops to open from 9 am to 7 pm.
l Hotels can open at 50% capacity.
l Malls will open.
l No movement except non-essential activities from 8 pm to 5 am.
l Matadors (50% cap) and buses can operate at 67% capacity in Orange and Green districts (only on notified routes).
l Only SRTC buses can operate in Red districts.
l No inter-State and inter- province movement, except for passes.
Non-Permissible activities in entire UT of J&K:
The following activities shall continue to remain prohibited across the entire Union Territory of J&K, irrespective of the categorization of the districts, w.e.f. 08th June, 2020 till further orders:
l Inter-UT/state, Inter-province and Inter-district Buses for public transport and private vehicles except those permitted under this order in specific categories of districts as per procedure prescribed.
l All schools, colleges, universities, educational / training / coaching institutions (including Anganwadi centers), etc, However, online/ distance learning shall be permitted. Their offices can continue to function for administrative purposes.
l All cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, Spas, theatres, bars. auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.
l All social / political / sports / entertainment academic / cultural / religious functions and other large gatherings and congregations. Religious places/ places of worship shall continue to remain closed for public till further orders.
l There shall be no inter-province or inter-State(UT movement of individuals except after obtaining permissions or in permitted public transport, after following prescribed health protocols.
l The movement of individuals for all non-essential activities between 8 pm to 5 am. District Magistrates shall issue specific prohibitory orders in this regard under Section 144 of CrPC.
l Persons above 65 years of age, persons and with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, shall stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements or for health purposes.
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Activities permitted in the entire UT of Jammu
& Kashmir, with permissions needed only in such
areas where indicated against an activity
l Normal functioning of private hospitals, clinics and nursing homes (including OPD services).
l All E-commerce and Courier services.
l All agriculture, horticulture. animal husbandry and related activities.
l Canteens/Eateries at Bus stands, Railway stations and Airports. with passes in Red districts.
l All restaurants, including in hotels, can operate for home delivery and take away only, without dine-ins subject to the SOP of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India, dated e June, 2020.
l Hotels and hospitality services, can operate at 50% capacity, subject to the SOP of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India, dated 491 June, 2020, with particular focus on:
a. Full protection gear and equipment should be provided to Hotel staff.
b. Details of guests with entire travel history to be maintained.
c. Only Room service of food should be done instead of in dine-in restaurants.
d. Frequent sanitization of common areas and spaces to be done.
e. Necessary health precautions for guests and staff.
l All Shopping Malls, can open subject to the SOP of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India, dated 41`h June, 2020, except in Red districts where they will operate with 50% of shops open on alternate days to be regulated by the Deputy Commissioners concerned. There will be particular focus on:
a. Shops in Malls can open from 9 am till 7 pm.
b. Special markings for social distancing, wherever needed.
c. Air conditioning of Malls to follow guidelines of CPWD (temperature range of 24-30 degree Celsius, relative humidity in the range of 40-70% with adequate cross ventilation and intake of fresh air.
d. Food Courts and dining facilities in Malls will not be allowed for dine-in purpose. However. home-delivery /take-away service is permitted.
e. Children’s gaming zones, gaming arcades and cinemas inside Malls shall remain closed.
f. All railings and door knobs to be frequently sanitized with sodium hypochlorite solution.
g. District Magistrates will regulate the above to ensure that there is no congestion and social distancing is maintained.
l Banks and Financial services.
l Liquor shops and manufacturing units.
l Barber shops, saloons and parlors, subject to the SOP issued for such establishments separately and which will be enforced strictly.
l Self-employed service providers such as Plumbers, technicians, electricians etc.
l Auto-rickshaws with a maximum of two passengers, only intra-district
l Intra-district movement of individuals in vehicles is allowed, with a maximum of 2 passengers, besides the driver, in four wheeler vehicles, and with no pillion rider in case of two wheelers, with passes in Red districts.
l Intra-district public passenger transport vehicles (buses and mini-buses only and not maxi-cabs) can operate with upto 2/3rd seating capacity for buses and upto 50% seating capacity for mini-buses on routes to be notified by Transport Department, with only JKSRTC permitted in Red Districts.
l Inter-district public passenger transport vehicles (buses and mini-buses only and not maxi-cabs) can operate with upto 213rd seating capacity for buses and upto 50% seating capacity for mini-buses by JKSRTC only on routes to be notified by Transport Department.
l Marriage related functions, with not more than 50 persons maintaining social distancing, with permission required for the function in Red Districts.
l Funeral / last rites related rituals with not more than 20 persons maintaining social distancing.
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Additional activities permitted in Orange Districts
(No Passes Needed)
All shops, including in market areas/ bazaars/ market complexes, subject to the following:
a. In the limits of Municipal Corporations, shops will remain open from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m.
b. There will be no parking on roads of bazaars/ market complexes/ market areas to prevent congestion and ensure social distancing, except where there is paid parking of the Municipal Corporation concerned and there are two free lanes for traffic flow.
c. District Magistrates will regulate markets to ensure there is no congestion and social distancing is maintained.
l All private offices, with full (100%) strength of staff. self-regulated by office in-charge to follow the SOP of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, dated 4th June, 2020.
l Sports activities in Stadia and sports complexes, without the presence of spectators in urban areas.
l Inter-district movement of individuals in private vehicles between a pair of Green/ Orange districts, without crossing a Red district,with a maximum of 2 passengers, besides the driver, in four wheeler vehicles, and with no pillion rider in case of two wheelers.
l Taxi and Cab aggregators are permitted to ply with one driver and two passengers only within the district. Maxi-cabs operate with a maximum of 4 passengers only within the district.
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Additional activities permitted in Green Districts
(NO PASSES NEEDED)
l All activities permitted in Orange districts.
l Taxi and Cab aggregators with one driver and two passengers and Maxi-cabs with 4 passengers are permitted to ply only within the district, or between Green districts only.
l Inter-district public passenger transport vehicles (buses and mini-buses only) can operate with upto 2/3rd seating capacity for buses and upto 50% seating capacity for mini-buses by any operator on routes to be notified by Transport Department between contiguous Green districts.
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Restrictions in Red Districts
All shops, including in market areas) bazaars/ market complexes, subject to the following:
a. In the limits of Municipal Corporations, shops will remain open from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m.
b. Only 50% of the shops in market areas/ bazaars/ market complexes, will open on alternate days, to be regulated by the Deputy Commissioners concerned.
c. There will be no parking on roads of bazaars) market complexes/ market areas to prevent congestion and ensure social distancing, except where there is paid parking of the Municipal Corporation concerned and there are two free lanes for traffic flow.
d. District Magistrates will regulate markets to ensure there is no congestion and social distancing is maintained.
l Private offices are permitted to function with full (100%) attendance, with passes needed for staff as prescribed. The office in-charge will try to limit presence of staff to 50% to the extent possible and follow the SOP of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Govt of India, dated 4th June, 2020,
l Sports activities in Stadia and sports complexes, without the presence of spectators in urban areas.
l There shall be a complete prohibition on inter-district movement of individuals between-
a. Green/ Orange Districts on one side and Red Districts on the other
b. Between two Red Districts
c. Crossing a Red District except after following prescribed procedure at Attachment A.
l Intra-district / Inter-District public passenger transport vehicles will be run by JKSRTC only with upto 2/31 seating capacity for buses and upto 50% seating capacity for mini-buses on routes to be notified by Transport Department.
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New Quarantine guidelines
l Pregnant women in the last trimester, with a Doctors certificate of pregnancy;
l Cancer patients on chemotherapy;
l Chronically ill/ organ transplant/ IVF patients, discharged from a hospital after a surgical procedure;
l Dialysis patients with a doctor’s certificate of being on dialysis;
l Mothers with infants below 1 year;
l Children below 10 years traveling alone without a family member;
l Government of India personnel on bona fide government duty;
l Ambulance drivers of J&K dropping patients outside the UT, on their return to J&K, if they return within 36 hours of leaving Lakhanpur;
l Passengers/ travelers with an RTPCR TEST Negative Certificate from an ICMR approved laboratory/ testing facility, not older than 2 days (48 hours) before the arrival date;
l Business travelers by air/rail to J&K on business/industrial visits, with a confirmed return air/rail ticket booking within 4 days, confirmed hotel reservation and a business i.d; and,
l Business travelers by road to J&K on business/industrial visits, with an undertaking to return within 4 days, a confirmed hotel reservation and a business i.d.
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