Four virus ‘hotspots’ reopened in Islamabad

Islamabad DC orders lifting of ‘smart lockdown’ after drop in cases

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) on Wednesday issued directives to reopen four sub-sectors of the city after the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases there reportedly declined.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hamza Shafqaat issued a notification on Wednesday to unseal Sector G-6/2, G-6/1, G-10/4, and G-7/2. These areas had been placed under a ‘smart lockdown’ on June 24.

However, the DC said that these areas will still be regulated by the prevailing precautionary measures against Covid-19, imposed under Section 144.

He warned that the district administration will take strict action against delinquents on violating the standard operating procedures (SOPs), introduced for the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus.

The assistant commissioners (ACs) of the City and Shalimar circles have been directed to ensure compliance of all SOPs including social distancing, wearing face masks and gloves at public places.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) has completed disinfection spray activity in the Rawalpindi district. The teams washed Union Council (UC) 10 Khayaban and Awan Market and also sprayed disinfectant chemicals in both areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2020.