As the process of partial unlocking started after over a month of COVID-19 curfew, shops and business establishments re-opened partially on Monday across Jammu & Kashmir and traffic plied on roads.

However, classwork remained suspended as educational institutes - including schools, colleges, universities and private coaching centres - have been directed to remain closed till June 15.

All gyms and parks would also remain closed till further orders in Kashmir where weekend and night curfew would continue, IBNS said. 

In the last week of May, Jammu and Kashmir administration had extended the COVID curfew, which was supposed to end on May 23, by another week till May 31 in all 20 districts of the Union Territory amid no letup in the number of fresh coronavirus cases and deaths.

That was the fourth successive extension of COVID curfew since April 29 in the valley, where the vaccination drive has picked up after severe criticism over non-availability of jabs for several weeks.

According to the unlock guidelines issued by the authorities, shops will remain open on alternate days in Kashmir.

Public transport has been allowed to ply at 50 per cent seat capacity in Orange category districts and remains shut, except three wheelers, in Red category districts.

Five districts in Kashmir -- Pulwama, Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara and Budgam -- have been put in Red category districts while the remaining five -- Srinagar, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Shopian and Kulgam - have been put in Orange category.

The COVID lockdown will continue in the 96 containment zones in the Srinagar city.

Shopkeepers and transporters have been asked to display COVID vaccination certificates and adhere to coronavirus appropriate behaviour.(SAM)