Twin cities shut for fourth day
Shopkeepers told to ensure customers stay six feet apart
Men wear protective mask as a preventive measure against coronavirus, as they stand outside the Isolation ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medial Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, Pakistan March 15, 2020. REUTERS/Waseem Khan NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:
The twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were eerily deserted on Friday as the people spent their time at home amid the lockdown for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and torrential rains.
Only grocery stores, milk, meat shops and medical stores were open, while all other trade and business activities stayed shut on the day for of the partial-lockdown imposed by the government to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
However, despite the heavy downpour, policemen and Rangers continued manning the 72 check-posts which have been set up at the entry and exit points of the capital to control the undue movement of people.
The Islamabad Police, which has also launched a special awareness campaign against Covid-19, formed 25 teams comprising police officers and community leaders. Each team comprises three volunteers and a policeman. After completing their initial training, the coronavirus awareness campaign was launched by adding one policeman to each team.
These teams were briefed by SP (Saddar) Omar Khan ASP Rana Abdul Wahab on Friday as to how to make effective interaction with people.
On the direction of Operations-DIG Waqaruddin Syed, they went door-to-door to convince the public to stay at home and adopt precautionary measures as advised by the government.
DIG Syed expressed hope that this war against the virus will be won through the cooperation of the people.
Every police officials of Islamabad police was performing duty with dedication and considering it as a national responsibility, he added.
Meanwhile, DC Hamza Shafqaat said that some people were using grocery stores as hangouts, abusing the exemption granted to grocery stores to stay open during the curfew. He warned that the stores should not be used as an excuse for socialising with friends and neighbours.
He directed shopkeepers to sure that customers coming to their stores must keep a distance of six feet with other customers, while shopkeepers must wear masks and gloves.
The deputy commissioner said in a revised SOP that shops allowed to open should give their employees a mask, while hand sanitisers should be visible at each entry point so that it can be used by customers when they step into the shop and when leaving.
On the other hand, the police have stopped the entry of irrelevant people in Islamabad. In this regard, they are questioning commuters and those coming to the area without any cogent reason are turned back.
Hospitals on high alert
All government hospitals in the federal capital have been put on high alert regarding the Covid-19 outbreak, according to a notification issued on Friday.
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital and other government-run hospitals will remain on a high-alert till further notice, the notification said.
The pandemic, after coming to Pakistan, has claimed 10 lives across the country, it said.
Commercial hubs shut
In Rawalpindi, like other cities of Punjab, traders and citizens observed a complete lockdown for a fourth consecutive day.
Following the restriction imposed by the government, all the small and large markets, trade centres, jewellers’ markets, electronic markets and major hubs of commercial activities such as Raja Bazar, Moti Bazaar, Murree Road and Saddar remained completely shut in the city and cantonment areas.
Banks, medical stores, grocery and milk shops and necessary services stayed open for limited periods.
Few vehicles of goods transport were also seen plying on the roads, but public transport, including vans, taxis and rickshaws were seen on the roads in the inner city.
Daily wage earners and seller of masks and other goods sat along the roads hoping to get some work.
Flag march
A flag march participated by personnel of Rawalpindi police, district administration and law enforcement agencies was conducted for awareness against Coronavirus.
According to a police spokesperson, the flag march started from the Police Lines and culminated at the same point after passing through various areas of the city including Katcheri Chowk, Mall road, Mareer chowk, Saqiqabad, Dhoke Kashmirian, Rawal Road and Chor Chowk.
During the march, the public was urged to restrict themselves at their homes and avoid unnecessary movement through loudspeakers. They said that precautionary measures were the only solution against coronavirus and citizens should take care of the health of their families.
It was also announced to avoid large gatherings, otherwise, strict action would be taken against violators and would be punished accordingly.
Spray missions
Deputy Commissioner Anwarul Haq said that district administration was conducting disinfectant spray in the union councils where Covid-19 patients were reported from. Regular spraying has been conducted in UCs including Potohar Town, Fauji Colony and Pirwadhai to control the spread of the disease.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2020.
The twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were eerily deserted on Friday as the people spent their time at home amid the lockdown for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and torrential rains.
Only grocery stores, milk, meat shops and medical stores were open, while all other trade and business activities stayed shut on the day for of the partial-lockdown imposed by the government to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
However, despite the heavy downpour, policemen and Rangers continued manning the 72 check-posts which have been set up at the entry and exit points of the capital to control the undue movement of people.
The Islamabad Police, which has also launched a special awareness campaign against Covid-19, formed 25 teams comprising police officers and community leaders. Each team comprises three volunteers and a policeman. After completing their initial training, the coronavirus awareness campaign was launched by adding one policeman to each team.
These teams were briefed by SP (Saddar) Omar Khan ASP Rana Abdul Wahab on Friday as to how to make effective interaction with people.
On the direction of Operations-DIG Waqaruddin Syed, they went door-to-door to convince the public to stay at home and adopt precautionary measures as advised by the government.
DIG Syed expressed hope that this war against the virus will be won through the cooperation of the people.
Every police officials of Islamabad police was performing duty with dedication and considering it as a national responsibility, he added.
Meanwhile, DC Hamza Shafqaat said that some people were using grocery stores as hangouts, abusing the exemption granted to grocery stores to stay open during the curfew. He warned that the stores should not be used as an excuse for socialising with friends and neighbours.
He directed shopkeepers to sure that customers coming to their stores must keep a distance of six feet with other customers, while shopkeepers must wear masks and gloves.
The deputy commissioner said in a revised SOP that shops allowed to open should give their employees a mask, while hand sanitisers should be visible at each entry point so that it can be used by customers when they step into the shop and when leaving.
On the other hand, the police have stopped the entry of irrelevant people in Islamabad. In this regard, they are questioning commuters and those coming to the area without any cogent reason are turned back.
Hospitals on high alert
All government hospitals in the federal capital have been put on high alert regarding the Covid-19 outbreak, according to a notification issued on Friday.
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital and other government-run hospitals will remain on a high-alert till further notice, the notification said.
The pandemic, after coming to Pakistan, has claimed 10 lives across the country, it said.
Commercial hubs shut
In Rawalpindi, like other cities of Punjab, traders and citizens observed a complete lockdown for a fourth consecutive day.
Following the restriction imposed by the government, all the small and large markets, trade centres, jewellers’ markets, electronic markets and major hubs of commercial activities such as Raja Bazar, Moti Bazaar, Murree Road and Saddar remained completely shut in the city and cantonment areas.
Banks, medical stores, grocery and milk shops and necessary services stayed open for limited periods.
Few vehicles of goods transport were also seen plying on the roads, but public transport, including vans, taxis and rickshaws were seen on the roads in the inner city.
Daily wage earners and seller of masks and other goods sat along the roads hoping to get some work.
Flag march
A flag march participated by personnel of Rawalpindi police, district administration and law enforcement agencies was conducted for awareness against Coronavirus.
According to a police spokesperson, the flag march started from the Police Lines and culminated at the same point after passing through various areas of the city including Katcheri Chowk, Mall road, Mareer chowk, Saqiqabad, Dhoke Kashmirian, Rawal Road and Chor Chowk.
During the march, the public was urged to restrict themselves at their homes and avoid unnecessary movement through loudspeakers. They said that precautionary measures were the only solution against coronavirus and citizens should take care of the health of their families.
It was also announced to avoid large gatherings, otherwise, strict action would be taken against violators and would be punished accordingly.
Spray missions
Deputy Commissioner Anwarul Haq said that district administration was conducting disinfectant spray in the union councils where Covid-19 patients were reported from. Regular spraying has been conducted in UCs including Potohar Town, Fauji Colony and Pirwadhai to control the spread of the disease.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2020.