COVID-19: No Friday congregational prayers in JK for third consecutive week

Srinagar, Apr 10 (PTK): As the number of positive cases of the deadly coronavirus continues to witness a surge in Jammu and Kashmir, no Friday congregational prayers were offered in masjids and shrines across the Union territory for the third consecutive Friday.

Reports said all the major masjids and shrines across Jammu and Kashmir, including Dargah Hazratbal and historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar remained closed for the prayers. However, in most of the local masjids, only two to three persons offered Friday prayers.

The people have been advised to offer prayers at the home to prevent the spread of deadly virus which has claimed four lives in the UT so-far while nearly 200 persons testing positive.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said the ongoing lockdown to prevent spread of COVID-19 pandemic has been intensified. He said the lockdown was not a “law and order one” but an effort to ensure that people stay back home to fight the spread of Covid-19. “We urge people not to move out of their homes as we get to see people coming outdoors during the evenings,” he said. (PTK)