People flock to Shahdara picnic spot amid pandemic

Parks partially reopen in Rawalpindi, officials concerned over SOP violations

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: Although the district administration has closed tourist spots, residents of the federal capital thronged picnic spots on the weekend, defying the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) devised by the government to keep the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) from spreading.

Hundreds of residents of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi headed to the picnic spots on cars, motorbikes and cabs. Their destination was the stream in Shahdara and the Margalla Hills.

"Shahdara stream is a major attraction for tourists in the summer months and witnessed a huge rush this weekend," said Malpur UC Vice-Chairman Raja Nadeem, adding, “It seems local authorities are not properly enforcing the lockdown.”

He said the town's residents felt protected due to their isolated location, but this public mobility could expose them to the virus. Majority of the visitors are without masks and a significant number of youngsters are bathing in the stream and there was no adherence to the guidelines against the virus, putting their own and others' lives at risk" he regretted.

Meanwhile, all public parks in Rawalpindi reopened partially, with amusement rides still closed. Adviser to the Punjab CM on Tourism Asif Mehmood said they were reopening parks in phases. First, he said only people who want to walk or exercise will be allowed.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2020.