Islamabad’s recreational spots to stay shut on Eid

District administration seeks to implement Covid-19 SOPs

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) on Monday decided to keep all recreational spots in the federal capital closed during the Eidul Azha holidays to prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

“People should not plan to go to any recreational or tourist spot during the Eid holidays,” said Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat on Monday.

He said that roads leading to Murree, the Margalla Hills and other scenic and picnic spots popular amongst the public will remain closed from Friday, July 31, until Sunday, August 2.

He appealed to the public to stay at home during this time and avoid making any plans for outdoor recreational activities during these days “to keep you and your family safe from the pandemic.”

The picnic spots and parks have been closed to ensure social distancing necessary for controlling the Covid-19 spread, he said.

“We need to secure the gains achieved in defeating the pandemic through daunting sacrifices of doctors, paramedics, and all frontline workers,” he said, pointing to how fresh Covid-19 cases in the federal capital have declined from the peak of 395 per day in the middle of June to around 20 in recent days.

Regarding Eid prayers, he said the district administration will use the same plan it had deployed on Eidul Fitr.

In this regard, he said that arrangements for Eid congregations will be made in open spaces by following standard operating procedures (SOPs) with different prayer times to avoid large gatherings.

“The Eid prayer is not the main issue, the issue will be at the time of exchanging Eid greetings traditionally [through hugging] on the day when people ignore social distancing,” he said.

Residents of the federal capital will have to show a sense of responsibility by complying with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government because law enforcement personnel cannot monitor people while they are at their homes, Shafqaat added.

“If the people do not follow the SOPs this time, the situation can be even worse than it was after Eidul Fitr,” he warned.

Meanwhile, he said that SOPs are being strictly enforced in cattle markets and animals were also being vaccinated against the Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Citizens were further requested not to bring the elderly and the children to cattle markets for purchasing sacrificial animals, he said.

On Eidul Fitr, while the government had blocked the roads leading to the popular hill station of Murree and to the Galiyat region, many turned to some less frequented picnic spots in the capital such as Shahdara.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2020.