Four Galiyat virus hotspots to be sealed

GDA decides to close offices in Abbottabad for three days

AYUBIA: The Abbottabad district administration has decided to impose a ‘smart lockdown’ in four areas to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

Ahsan Hamid, a spokesperson for the Abbottabad district administration, told The Express Tribune on Tuesday that they have decided to seal Nawansher, Saithi Colony, Aljannat Street and Jhangi Syedan.

“We are adopting the smart lockdown strategy announced by the federal and provincial governments and have advised the public to follow the district government’s guidelines to protect themselves from this virus,” Hamid said, adding that they have evolved a short, medium and long-term strategy to eradicate the virus from the region.

“We are protecting the people from this pandemic.”

He added that there are around 411 active Covid-19 cases in the district currently while at least 471 people have recovered from the disease.

Moreover, the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) on Tuesday issued a notification stating that its offices in Abbottabad will remain closed for the next three days.

Sources said that at least four officials contracted the pandemic virus in GDA’s head office including its Director General Raza Habib and three other office-bearers. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2020.