A senior superintendent (SSP) of Jammu and Kashmir police, Imtiyaz Hussian Parray, has gone into self-isolation in Srinagar after his mother-in-law tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 18. Parray’s mother-in-law, a resident of Srinagar, had tested positive for COVID-19 after she returned from umrah (pilgrimage) from Saudi Arabia.
Although he had no contact with her, he decided to go into self-isolation and urged people to leave nothing to chance. “Updating all well-wishers…Mother-in-law doing well at SKIMS. Rest of my family also following necessary protocol. Although no direct contact was made, I am also going into isolation…Urge all to leave nothing to chance and follow government directives strictly,” the SSP posted on Twitter.
The officer’s decision has been widely hailed. “Proud of you @imtiazismailp sb (sahab),” District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary wrote. “The gentleman has certainly emerged as a torchbearer. More power to him and his tribe,” Suneem Khan, who is a medical officer with the CRPF in Srinagar, said.
Most of the patients of the coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have a travel history to countries affected by COVID-19. The district magistrate of Srinagar has ordered restrictions in Srinagar on Friday. “No public movement or activity will be allowed anywhere in the district. Only government officials associated with essential services will be allowed to move. Concerned agencies have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of restrictions across the district. Strict action will be taken against violators of the order. Government officials have been asked to ensure no one is found ferried in their vehicles,” a government spokesman said.
“The decision to impose restrictions comes in the wake of surfacing of a case testing positive for COVID-19 in the district and is aimed at containing spread of the infection. No public movement or activity will be allowed anywhere in the district. Only government officials associated with essential services will be allowed to move. Concerned agencies have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of restrictions across the district. Strict action will be taken against violators of the order. Government officials have been asked to ensure no one is ferrying in their vehicles,” a government spokesman said.
