13 shops sealed over SOPs violation in Abbottabad

Buyers, sellers found without facemasks, gloves

ABBOTTABAD: The district administration, along with the Abbottabad Town Municipal Authority (TMA) staff, has sealed as many as 13 shops over the violation of standard operating procedure (SOPs) prescribed by the government to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Customers and shopkeepers were found flouting the social distancing rule, nor were they wearing face masks and gloves. As a result, the authorities sealed the shops. The shops sealed included seven cloth stores, a readymade garments showroom and a shoe shop.

Abbottabad Assistant Commissioner Dr Mujtaba Barhawana and Taxation Officer Revenue Mazhar Awan visited various markets in the city and made repeated announcements through loudspeakers, advising shopkeepers and customers to follow the SOPs.

Subsequently, Barhawana sealed overcrowded shops and warned shopkeepers of harsh legal punishment for their failure to implement the SOPs.

The TMA staff also drew circles outside shops for buyers to maintain minimum social distance. Special price monitoring teams also surveyed the markets and told shopkeepers to follow the prices fixed by the district administration.

The lockdown was relaxed in Abbottabad on strong assurances by traders that they will strictly follow the SOPs. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2020.