COVID-19: Complete lockdown to be enforced in Kashmir

To stem the spread of novel coronavirus infection, the regional administration in Indian-administered Kashmir on Wednesday declared to impose complete lockdown from today evening till 27 July in the region.

The administration will impose complete restrictions in nine districts of the region except for Bandipora district.

"The lockdown, which comes into effect on Wednesday evening, will last till 6 am morning of July 27," the Directorate of Information and Public Relations said.

The administrative department said on Twitter: "Complete lockdown in all Red districts [excluding Bandipora] of Kmr [Kashmir] Div [Division] from today evening till 6 am on 27-7-2020."

The officials say the decision has been taken in view of the surging infections and deaths in the region.

But the administration has permitted agriculture, horticulture, and construction activities in the region in accordance with disaster management guidelines.

"The movement of goods carriers, LPG and oil tankers will also continue unhindered," the officials said.

The infections in the region have crossed 15,000 while 266 people have died from the disease so far.

Meanwhile, the regional administration on Tuesday cancelled the Hindu pilgrimage to Amarnath Cave in Kashmir region on account of surging COVID-19 infections but as many as 14,000 non-local laborers have been permitted to enter the region since last week and many more thousands are planning to move in the region in the coming days.