Covid-19: Opening of shops, rotation formula should be must!
Altaf Hussain Janjua
Epidemic in the form of Covid-19 has not only affected every sphere of life but also brought a dynamic change in our thought process. Continued warning statements of World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding it further compels us to think and find out the way to live with Corona, as we have to prepare to face this challenge for a long time. COVID-19 did no discrimination with poor and rich. Irrespective of region, religion, cast, creed it affected everyone. It shut the doors of Religions places, Education institutions and even Hospitals.
History testifies that human being has faced lot of challenges but overcome and he knows how to live according to situation and this time too with new rules and regulations. Now Masks and Hand Sanitizers will be important feature of our daily life at least for couple of years.
Whole world Scientists and Doctors fraternity are busy to find out vaccine or medicine curable for Epidemic Covid-19 but till date no medicine is available. Only solution is precautionary measure i.e. Stay Home, Use Masks and Hand sanitizers, maintain physical distancing. As a precautionary measure most of the countries in world adopted method of “Lockdown” to control this virus from spreading which has proven successful but led to negative impact on economy.
In India first COVID19 case was reported on 30th of January 2020 in Kerala State. On 9th of March 2020 first day lockdown was announced. Thereafter on 20th of March 2020 first phase of 21 days Lockdown started. At that time many organisations, forums and besides civil society criticised NDA Govt for this decision, but time proved that this was right decision taken at appropriate time. Due to Lockdown economy of the Country suffered huge loss but it saved thousands of lives which are more important in any set up of Govt. Despite lockdown in India Corona Virus cases are increasing with alarming speed after each passing day. Till 26th of May 2020 150,793 cases were reported across India out of which 8,944 patients are serious, 64,277 recovered successfully and 4,344 deaths were reported. As per health ministry data so far 3,126,119 Covid19 tests were done, 109 positive cases per million population and 3 deaths per million persons. Now India not only crossed China but is also among top 10 most affected COVID-19 countries after USA, Brazil, Russia, Spain, UK, Italy, France, Germany and Turkey. China overcame the crises like situation and is now at number 14.
Every morning, like clockwork, I get two particular notifications on my phone. One tells me the weather in my local city and the other tells me the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in some part of the world. The real tragedy in all this is that we're living in times where checking the number of deaths due to a pandemic is not so different from checking the weather – you can see how it's changed since the night before, take a glance at the upcoming week's projected forecast, maybe compare your city to another and even anticipate that it's so unpredictable, you'll be surprised just hours later.
So for all decisions and steps taken by Govt to combat COVID-19 are appreciable except running of Special trains for stranded Labourers, students and others persons to ensure their home return and opening of whole Market.
In Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir figures clearly indicate that there is high increase in Covid-19 cases with returning of citizens from different states and the same situation in other parts of the country. Kathua District which is also known as Gateway of J&K UT was safe and not even single case was reported before Govt's decision of allowing incoming stranded persons. Similarly Ramban District, the Gate way of Kashmir was also safe and now has become hot spot. So far about over 75 Positive cases were reported and all are those who have come from outside. Govt had to made arrangements of food and accommodations wherever these persons were stranded at least till full proof transportation and quarantine arrangements were made.
Most of the Islamic rules over epidemics to protect people from death and sickness go back to the very early stages of the emergence of the monotheistic religion.
On many occasions, the Prophet Muhammed SAW advised his companions to value their lives as the utmost importance over death in his numerous sayings (hadiths), urging people to stay away from places where there were epidemics.
Prophet Muhammed SAW speaks about the concept of quarantine fourteen hundred years ago “When you hear that “a plague” is in a land, do not go to it and if it occurs in a land that you are already in, then do not leave it, fleeing from it” the Prophet famously said.
Decision of Opening Market in Orange and Green Zones will also prove dangerous. J&K UT Govt effectively Combat over COVID-19 but now situation seems to be out of control and that too due to Govt's own immature decisions.
Resuming of construction and development activities in rural areas is welcome step but in Town and Cities opening of market is not worth it at least during this critical time as even many are stressing that 2020 is the year to stay alive, and not worry about profits and losses'.
In Jammu when after 63 days Lockdown Markets were opened, cops were having tough time in maintaining social distancing. For resuming business activities in cities and Town separate strategy is required. Rotation Formula is must. Essential Commodities i.e. Medical Shops, Vegetable Fruits, Milk and Karyana shops should be allowed from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM but rest of the shops for clothes, shoes, Utensils, Stationery, and Electronic Goods etc should allowed only twice in a week. By doing so administration will able to effectively monitor market and ensure implementation of social distancing in letter and spirit. Beside this customer will visit as per schedule, overcrowding in town and cities will automatically decrease. Tracking, tracing and testing strategy should also be put in place in rural areas because in Chenab and Pirpanchal Belt of Jammu province, number of persons via traditional routes on foot reach their homes from outside without testing and necessary quarantine period. Guidelines and Protocol for Quarantine Centres issued by Ministry of Health, Govt of India need to be implemented in letter and spirit, any negligence at administrative level would cause great inconvenience to public at large.
Author is an advocate and free lance journalist
