Authorities in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, ordered the reopening of all parks on weekdays - except Saturdays and Sundays - for visitors who are either vaccinated or carrying a valid negative RT-PCR within 48 hours. Those not falling in both categories would have to undergo rapid tests before entry.

“Significant improvement has been observed in the daily/weekly positivity rate in district Srinagar since past few weeks,” Deputy Commissioner Srinagar said in an order.

He said a series of meetings were held with the Department of Tourism, Department of  Floriculture, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, in charge of all historical gardens and other stakeholders regarding the opening of the parks. 

“After a threadbare discussion it was decided that all paid/unpaid parks of district Srinagar shall be allowed to open on weekdays except Saturdays and Sundays (owing to weekend Curfew), subject to following conditions…that the entry shall be permitted only to vaccinated persons or to a person carrying COVID negative test report within 48 hours prior to entry or on spot test (if a person is not vaccinated),” the order read.

Srinagar district has witnessed an over 70 per cent decline in active positive cases in the last month.  The number of active positive cases on June 6 was 3,212, which came down to 705 on July 6.  Doctors attributed the decline mainly due to the people adhering to Covid-appropriate behavior. 

The J&K High Court, as well as District and Subordinate Courts and Tribunals, also resumed physical hearing from Tuesday. They were functioning via virtual mode from April this year after J&K witnessed a surge in COVID19 positive cases.

At the main entrance of the Srinagar court complex here, the litigants were asked to show COVID19  vaccination certificates. Advocate Mir Naveed Gul said lawyers maintained the social distance and followed other SOPs while waiting for the hearing of their cases. (SAM)