Restricted public gatherings: Coronavirus takes fun out of twin cities

Major parks, malls deserted but weekly markets remain open

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: It was an unusual Sunday for the residents of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi with most of the usual recreational haunts such as the zoo, major parks and malls bearing a desolated look after the government had issued directives to restrict public interaction as part of measures to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.

However, the local government allowed the weekly bazaar to operate so that the public could procure essential items. Meanwhile, seven international passengers suspected of having the novel coronavirus were committed to the quarantine facilities in the federal capital.

As the national tally for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) recorded the highest jump in a single day, the strict restrictions on public gatherings and closure of public places came into effect. This meant that there was little traffic on the roads was quite thin while the metro bus stations appeared desolate.

Popular haunts in the federal capital such as the Margharzar Zoo, Daman-e-Koh, Pir Suhawa, Lake View Park, Ankara Park, Rawal Dam, and Shakarparian all looked like ghost towns with their gates firmly sealed on the directions of Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz and the deputy commissioner.

Malls, which are usually bustling with visitors on the weekend, were also deserted. Closure of cinemas on the direction of the government meant that moviegoers had to return disappointed.

Officials of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and the Islamabad Municipal Corporation (IMC) were on hand to ward off people out to enjoy the weekly public holiday.

As a result, many people returned home while some took to leisurely sitting on the greenbelts or in grounds which have not been covered in the ban. Many tried to eke out a thrill by going to the Faisal Mosque or the Pakistan monument but were turned away because the entry of visitors was prohibited.

Sources in IMC, however, said that sports grounds located in different sectors saw healthy participation from youngsters as the administration had exempted sporting activity from the ban.

Bazaars open

Despite the bar on public spaces such as parks and other recreational spots, the IMC allowed markets and the weekly Sunday bazaars to operate.

An IMC official said that since the federal government had announced to shut down public spaces very close to the weekend, it was not entirely possible to cancel the weekly markets in sectors G-10, G-6, and H-9. The official added that the bazaars are critical for providing essential commodities to residents of the twin cities at affordable rates.

However, the official, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said that all weekly bazaars will remain closed from next week until further orders.

A survey conducted by The Express Tribune revealed that grocery shops and markets saw much more hustle and bustle than other public places.

Situation in Rawalpindi

It was a similar tale in neighbouring Rawalpindi where the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anwarul Haq — on the directives of the Punjab government —imposed a ban on the assembly of five or more people under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Recreational activities such as boating, amusement rides and other activities in the parks of Rawalpindi — including the 86 parks located within the remits of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) —could not be held after the district administration closed all parks. The sporting grounds also wore a deserted look.

Nadeem Ahmed, the manager at Ayub Park, said that usually, they earn around Rs10,000 in ticket sales on weekends. However, they have not sold a single ticket for the past three days owing to the COVID-19 scare.

The hill station of Murree was also largely deserted on Sunday after the government shut down the famous chair-lift there to contain COVID-19.

Trading activities in the garrison city were also affected as the public stayed away from certain markets. However, there was a traffic jam in R A Bazaar.

Ghulam Qadir Mir and Pervaiz Butt, both members of the city’s business community said that due to the absence of the public, traders of the city are facing a loss of around Rs5 million per day.

Idrees Ahmed, who works as a manager at a local cinema, said that no movies have been screened at the theatre for the past three days.

A survey revealed that as many as 594 bookings for the wedding were cancelled in Rawalpindi during the past 72-hours. Meanwhile, there has been a surge in the demand for face masks and hand sanitizers in the twin cities.

Churches suspend prayers

The virus has also impacted the religious activities in the twin cities as the weekly Sunday service in various churches of the twin cities remained suspended on Sunday.

Many people, who were fasting as part of Lent, had to return because churches were closed.

Seven passengers quarantined

As many as seven passengers, including a woman, who had arrived at the Islamabad International Airport (IIA) on Sunday were shifted to an isolation ward established at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) after they displayed symptoms of the COVID-19.

The passengers had landed in Pakistan from Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, the female, a Briton of Pakistani origin, had come from London.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad Police Inspector General (IG) Amir Zulfiqar issued directions to the zonal officers to ensure closure of public places where people could meet and have physical contact with each other. Moreover, police officers were exempted from biometric attendance and were instead directed to mark their attendance manually in the attendance registers.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2020.