Ganderbal: Though Rapid-Antigen-tests are mandatory for all people entering Kashmir either by air, rail or road, no such tests are being conducted for the people entering the Valley by road from Ladakh region.
Sources told Kashmir News Trust that only thermal screening of people entering Kashmir from Ladakh region is done while no COVID-19 Rapid-Antigen-tests are being conducted at Sonmarg – the picturesque spot also known as Gateway to Ladakh.
According to the revised guidelines issued by the State Executive Committee (SEC) on quarantine procedures and protocols in the erstwhile state, “All people arriving in Jammu and Kashmir either by air, rail or road, will mandatorily have to be tested for COVID-19.”
“Though quarantine facility has been established at Youth Hostel in Sonmarg, no Rapid-Antigen-tests are being conducted. People including labourers enter the Valley from Ladakh in large numbers on a daily basis, but are allowed to go without undergoing any COVID-19 test,” said a shopkeeper at Sonmarg.
The virus has already claimed over 500 human beings in Kashmir Valley.
Chief Medical Officer Ganderbal, Dr Mehrajuddin Sofi, said that tests are not being conducted as they lack manpower. “Such tests will be conducted soon and the process may start within one or two days. Medical Staff posted at Sonmarg has been directed to start test procedures for travelers entering from Ladakh to Kashmir and the process will start soon,” he said. KNT
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