Srinagar, Mar 24 :
Expressing deep concern over the rising cases of COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir, Apni Party (AP) president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday said large scale vaccination drive and not lockdown is the solution.
In a statement issued here this afternoon, former minister Bukhari termed the two deaths from Kashmir division ”saddening and unfortunate”. Raising strong apprehensions over the spike in pandemic cases, he described the situation as “alarming” and “worrisome.”
“The situation appears to be grim. The administration must assess the ground conditions and act promptly so that no further inconvenience is caused to the people. The strict lock-downs in the past have already hit-hard the economy and it will be no less than a doom if a new lock-down is announced,” he remarked.
He said that the local administrations must see to it that the required Standard Operating Procedures(SOP) are implemented in letter and spirit so that impending danger of COVID-19 second wave is dealt with serious precautionary measures without disturbing the normal life.
COVID-19, large
“If the repercussions of the second wave of COVID-19 are to be obviated, the administration and people alike must act responsibly and follow the necessitated SOP’s with profound diligence,” Bukhari observed.
While advocating augmentation of rapid Covid-19 testing facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, he stressed more on large scale vaccination drives which he called as the only practical course of action that is imperative for tackling the pandemic.
“The only salvation for our people to get rid of this disaster is a large -scale immunization programme. The spread of COVID-19 and virus mutations may become part of our lives but if we have to pragmatically cope with this deadly disease; vaccination drives are the only solution,” he observed.
He further urged the Prime Minister and Home Minister for their personal intervention to make ample supply of vaccine jabs available for the people of J&K.
