Shops and business establishments reopened on Wednesday in Srinagar after remaining shut since July 20 due to lock down imposed by the administration following spike in COVID-19 cases.
However, public transport remained off the roads since March due to COVID-19 in the Kashmir valley, where 341 persons lost their lives due to deadly virus and 18879 tested positive.
The District Magistrate (DM) said in view of the Eid-ul-Azha festival only essential services shops are allowed to open from 0900 hrs to 1700 hrs today and tomorrow. However, shopkeepers and customers have been directed to strictly adhere to COVID-19 preventive guidelines issued by the administration, including wearing masks, maintaining safe distance and avoiding crowded places.
The administrators also warned of maximum penalties in the form sealing of shops and other establishments and imposing fine against violators.
Later, at about 1030 all shops and business establishments—both essential and non essential—reopened in the city, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital. All road blocks and other nakas have been removed in the city. Shops and business establishments reopened at busy centre of Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Regal Chowk, Mahraj Bazar, Goni Khan, Budshah Chowk, Maisuma, Residency and Moulana Azad road. Business activities also resumed in Batmaloo and other areas in the city. Some people, including women, were seen moving without masks in these markets.
Life also returned to normal in the down town, where security forces and police personnel had been withdrawn and road blocks removed. However, historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, presently under house arrest, remained closed since March this year due to COVID pandemic. No prayers, including Friday and Eid-ul-Fitr were offered in the historic warship place in the down town. Though the main gate of the masjid remained closed on Wednesday, people were seen entering through small gate in the Jamia Market, where shops are open. Business and other activities also resumed in the down town, including Nallahmar road.
Similar scenes were also witnessed in the uptown and outskirts, where shops and other business establishments were functioning since morning.
Though public transport was off the roads, three wheelers and Sumo taxies were seen plying on some routes. However, traffic jam was witnessed in HSHS and other busy routes in the city.