Weekend lockdown kicks in

After four days of brief respite, markets shut for 3 days

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: After a four-day relaxation in the lockdown for business activities in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, a full three-day weekly lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic started on Friday.

All the big and small shopping malls and markets remained closed on Friday, the eerie silence offering a stark contrast to the mad rush of people witnessed there in the past four days.

Both buyers and sellers were left waiting for Monday to resume their Eidul Fitr shopping under the standard operating procedures (SOPs) identified by the district government.

Public transport and metro bus service also remained closed.

However, grocery stores, pharmacies and other shops, which the government had allowed to operate during the permitted hours from 8am to 5pm, remained open.

On the other hand, businesses allowed to operate for four days in the federal capital remained shut on Friday.

Thin traffic was witnessed on the main thoroughfares due to the weekend lockdown and the Friday prayer restrictions.

Law enforcement personnel were on high alert all day and strictly enforced the restrictions, including the ban on pillion riding and one-wheeling.

Squads of the district police and administration patrolled the bazaars and markets, shutting down shops which opened in violation of the ban.

More Covid-19 cases reported

During the past 24 hours, 117 more Covid-19 cases were reported in Rawalpindi, bringing the total number of positive cases in the garrison city to 1,541. The number of associated deaths in the city also rose to 66.

However, many Covid-19 patients made a full recovery from the virus in hospitals and in the quarantine centres, with a total of 304 patients having been discharged after their tests came back negative following treatment.

In the federal capital, 44 new Covid-19 cases were reported on Friday, taking the total there to 866 cases. Meanwhile, another patient succumbed to the virus in the federal capital, taking the toll there to seven deaths. So far, at least 92 Covid-19 positive patients have recovered from the virus.

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