Srinagar, Feb 15: The first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive began at Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Central office, at Karan Nagar. Mayor SMC Junaid Azim Mattu was the first among the SMC staff to receive a vaccination shot.
Joint Commissioner (Administration) Syed Abul Qasim, Joint Commissioner Works, Ishtiyaq Ahmed Shah, Secretary SMC Sofi Akbar and other officials also got vaccinated on the occasion. The SMC has pressed five vaccinators at three designated spots for giving the vaccine to SMC officials.
The SMC Mayor termed the moment a pride and a very important milestone in the fight against Covid-19.
The Mayor said SMC workers including corporators will be vaccinated in a phased manner. “There are designated vaccination centers including SMHS, SKIMS, SDH Hazratbal, PHC Zadibal, UPHC Batamaloo, CHC Gousia, Noorbagh MMC, JVC hospital, JLNM hospital, Police Hospital Batamaloo and Zewan PHC where officials/ officials/workers of SMC can get vaccinated.
He said around 4500 SMC employees would be included in the drive.
The Mayor further said the drive to ensure people wear masks in Srinagar areas will be strengthened and violators will be dealt with strictly as per the directions passed on by his office.
The Mayor said after SMC culminates its drive, it will focus on schools and colleges.
“We will ensure a mechanism so that a student or a staff member wash their hands twice or thrice in school hours,” Mattoo said.
He impressed upon the administration of educational institutions to ensure all SOPs followed in letter and spirit and put necessary arrangements in place for the wellbeing of students and staff members. He clarified that if any educational institution will breach the SOPs, it won’t go unpunished.
