Rawalpindi residents ignore coronavirus precaution

People enjoy gatherings, disregard social distancing; bazaars in many localities open

RAWALPINDI: People in Rawalpindi seemed to be insensitive about the coronavirus (COVID-19) threat and the danger the highly contagious virus poses.

In a survey conducted by The Express Tribune on Saturday showed that several bazaars and business centres seemed crowded without any regard for the ban on the mass gathering.

Although the Punjab government has banned the assembly of more than five people, it was largely ignored in the bazaars of cantonment and city areas as well as in the healthcare facilities.

People were seen hugging and shaking hands with each other as greeting instead of opting for social distancing. Several people were seen visiting the hospitals with two or more attendants instead of one. The health experts say that people should wear a mask and observe social distancing to save themselves from contracting the virus. They contended that taking precautions against the COVID-19 was the only way of getting saved from it.



On the flip side, with the spike in coronavirus cases in the country and fatalities owing to it, the administration of the federal capital has geared up completely. The Islamabad police are carrying through the ban on mass gatherings and assembly of more than five people as part of the precautionary measures to avoid coronavirus outbreak. All police stations in their respective jurisdictions have formed teams to ensure the orders while the food outlets and restaurants have been issued letters in this regard too. A senior police officer told The Express Tribune that the eateries were only allowed to make takeaway orders and there was a complete ban on dine-in service. He added that a criminal case would be registered against the violators.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar said Islamabad Police had adopted elaborate measures for the safety of its personnel against coronavirus.

Police teams under the supervision of SP Industrial Area Zubair Ahmed Sheikh are ensuring all facilities to prevent policemen from coronavirus. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2020.