As the Government of J&K has started to notify the containment zones amid new variants of Covid-19, several locals believe it will not serve any purpose and urge upon authorities to establish a ‘Common Command Centre’ to guide people how to fight the virus. Rising Kashmir spoke to several locals to gauge their opinion on the matter.  

 Mohammad Aalim, Chanapora

The move of notifying containment zones will not be beneficial at all as a matter of fact it will add further miseries to people by locking them down. Government should be more serious at this moment and desist from copy paste circulars. Guide people humanely on how to follow SOP’s like wearing face masks, maintaining appropriate physical distancing. We know schools that are shut now were the only places where SOPs were followed religiously while guidelines were brazenly violated at those places where visitors enjoy and entertain themselves. The entire world right now is on the verge of extermination and God forbid if mature efforts are not taken nobody can save us from getting perished.

 Sheikh Irfan, Gulshan Nagar

The initiative of notifying containment zones cannot be the solution for combating new variants of the virus. One side, the government offices and establishment is working smoothly with flow of visitors into offices and on the other side localities are being notified and confined. This seems to be a lack of policy so the administration has to take some tangible measures in order to stop this wave from spreading further. There is a need to initiate door to door vaccination. Designate every health center for Covid-19 testing, restrict mass gatherings at every level be it on part of the government. Ensure SOPs to be adhered strictly by traders and customers as well and enhance testing among travelers particularly coming from vulnerable areas.

Samina Bashir, Buchpora

Our entire system has collapsed now as we see contradictory statements are flowing from the top. There is no comprehensive mechanism in place on ground to deal with the current situation. If the government notifies containment zones then these areas should have been given due attention. Confined localities should be provided with needs but unfortunately the government is just deputing a loudspeaker there and making announcements that creates fear in the locality. Let experts of the pandemic come out and speak and guide people what to do and what not?

Aabid Ovais, Bemina

The second wave of Covid-19 seems more lethal than earlier one as we are witnessing massive surge in caseloads and deaths as well. The authorities should have been prepared to deal with it but they let their guard down during winters and in the onset of spring they allowed mass gatherings in the government sponsored cultural events. Though the situation in the valley is not much worse than outside, we should ensure adequate oxygen supply at local levels. The authorities should avoid organizing big events and do prepare for the forthcoming days. Designate more rooms and beds for Covid-19 patients and designate some cultural centers as emergency Covid-19 hospitals and also get them fixed with enough oxygen supply on an urgent basis. We can’t go for a major lockdown. A smart lockdown is needed here. Notifying containment zones can’t be marked to avoid further pandemic spread.