Situation of Covid-19 in Ladakh, Latest Updates

Precautionary steps have been taken for preventing the transmission of COVID 2019 in Ladakh.

These orders have immediate effect and will remain in effect till 15th of April 2020

There have been news about Covid-19 in Ladakh. Presently there are 8 confirmed cases which includes one Army Jawan. Covid-19 has reached through the Pilgrims who returned from Iran.

The administration has taken several steps. All Iran returnees, and their relatives, contacts and other suspected cases number 284. Of these 208 persons are in home quarantine and are being monitored daily by health workers. Of this 150 have completed the mandatory 14 days. 58 persons are quarantined in hospitals and 18 persons (including positive cases) are in hospitals in isolation. No other person with COVID-19 symptoms have reported to the hospitals or been found on random verifications in the identified sensitive areas. These checks shall continue.

The following precautionary steps have been taken for preventing the transmission of COVID-19 in Ladakh. These orders have immediate effect and will remain in effect till 15th of April 2020.

a. Advisories have been issued to the public to stay in their homes and restrict movement. Police check posts have been established all over the UT to prevent any avoidable movement of people. The movement of people between Leh and Kargil has been barred.

b. All Government offices have been closed except those that are necessary for maintaining essential services, namely power, water supply, food & civil supply, petrol pumps, police, revenue and municipalities etc. Remaining officers and staff have been put on call and advised to work from home.

c. Some religious organisations have voluntary agreed to avoid Friday prayers.

d. Majority of public transport has been barred from plying, except what is required for commutating of essential service providers.

e. All hotels, guest houses etc. have been closed. No community hall, government or private will be permitted to offer any bookings for any public functions, social or religious.

f. Banks and ATMs will take all sanitary precautions such as hand washing/providing sanitizers, daily fumigation etc.

g. All restaurants, bars, food courts, food joints, road side eateries, community kitchens, shops etc. have been closed, barring essential outlets such as ration, LPG, essential daily use commodities, vegetables & medicines.

h. All schools and colleges have been closed.

i. Orders have been issued prohibiting entry of foreign tourists in Ladakh.

j. All incoming movement of labourers from other States into Ladakh have been banned by any means of transport.

k. Helicopter services through Pawan Hans or IAF will be limited only for medical or other emergencies. All air services of Army/Air Force through IL76/C17/AN32, carrying civilians from Jammu & Srinagar to Kargil or Leh have been suspended.

l. In order to regulate gathering of five or more people, the district administration of Leh and Kargil have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 CRPC.

m. Mobile shops are being operated in both districts, which will deliver essential supplies to houses & localities.

n. All conferences, workshops, rallies, gatherings, sit-in-protests, labourer gatherings, have been barred throughout Ladakh.

o. Intensive IEC activities, 100% screening of all passengers arriving at all three airports is being carried out.

p. Any passenger movement by road has been barred through the Zojila Pass.

The above measures are being implemented strictly. It is hoped that they would have a salutary effect on the situation.