Flag march in twin cities stresses message of lockdown, social distancing

Police, district administration officials urge people to stay at home, avoid venturing out unnecessarily

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: The police forces in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Tuesday, accompanied by contingents of the Rangers, Army as well as officials of the respective district administrations, conducted flag marches in the two cities,  to send a message for implementing the government’s directions for lockdown amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Security forces and the district administration urged the residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to stay at home and avoid venturing out unnecessarily.

The flag march in the federal capital started from the Jinnah Sports Complex. It culminated at the same spot after passing through different areas of the city.

Patrols disseminated the message any unnecessary movement is banned and emphasised that residents stay in their homes.

In Rawalpindi, police conducted a flag march around the city centre, including the busy Murree Road. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anwarul Haq, City Police Officer (CPO) Ahsan Younis and several police officials attended the march.

Announcements made from the motorcades asked the people to call Rescue 1122 or a helpline set up by the district administration in emergencies.

The message circulated was played out over loudspeakers attached to vans which patrolled different localities.

It stressed that there is a restriction on leaving homes unnecessarily.

The district administration officials explained that the lockdown has been imposed in their interest and that it was the only way to contain such a highly contagious virus.

Should they have to venture outside of their homes, residents were urged to follow the social distancing advice.

The citizens of the twin cities were warned that the law will come into action if they violated the orders.

District administration officials, however, assured that shops of essential services including grocery, fruits, dairy, and medical stores will remain open during the lockdown.

Islamabad Police Operations DIG Waqaruddin Syed said that they hoped to create awareness amongst the public regarding the pandemic through the flag march. He added that state institutions have been deployed to protect the people.

Preventive measures for cops

The federal police force is also mapping out ways to ensure the safety of its personnel against the contagion.

In light of this, all officers of the Islamabad Police will be only be allowed entry to their offices after undergoing screening.

Inspector General Islamabad Police (IGP) Aamir Zulfiqar Khan chaired a meeting on Tuesday with senior officers of the force to review the COVID-19 preventive measures taken as well as the partial lockdown in the federal capital.

IGP Aamir directed senior police officials to ensure the provision of water, sanitisers, tissue papers and soaps in their respective offices and at all police stations under their supervision.

All personnel have been instructed to perform their duties while wearing face masks and gloves.

IGP Aamir further instructed that all patrolling mobiles must carry sanitisers and other personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.

It was further decided that the federal police will establish a control room to help and guide citizens to lodge complaints.

He ordered all zonal SPs to visit and meet with locals residing in the slums and ghettos of the federal capital along with the members of civil society to sensitise them about the seriousness and dangers of COVID-19.

Sanitation workers get masks, gloves

Following the directions from Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz, sanitation workers in the federal capital were provided with face masks and gloves.

Some 750 pairs of gloves were distributed among the workers as a safety measure against COVID-19.

Sanitation Department Deputy Director (DD) Mohsin Shirazi said that apart from distributing PPE amongst IMC’s sanitation workers, the private contractors have also been directed to PPE to some 1,200 sanitation workers on their payroll.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2020.