J&K govt to throw open religious places from August 16

SRINAGAR: J&K government on Tuesday announced opening of all “religious places and places of worship”, shut since March following the outbreak of Covid-19, in the Union Territory from August 16. Religious processions and large religious gatherings, however, will remain prohibited, government spokesman Rohit Kansal said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar district magistrate Shahid Iqbal Choudhary ordered lifting of curfew, which was imposed in the district late Monday night for 48 hours in the wake of spike in Covid-19 cases and apprehension of law and order situation on the eve of the first anniversary of nullification of Article 370.“The curfew was lifted before 48 hours since the situation remained incident-free on Tuesday,” Choudhary said.
“Existing restrictions on public activities and movement put in place since August 1 in view of the Covid-19 situation in the district — where a sharp spike in cases has been witnessed in the last one month or so — will, however, remain in force,” the DM said.
He stated that there shall be restrictions on public movement, including transport, and that commercial and other establishments shall remain closed.