QAU campus sealed over coronavirus fears

Students told to vacate hostels, except those from remote areas

ISLAMABAD:

Educational and research activities have been suspended at the Quaid-e- Azam University (QAU) for 10 days after five novel coronavirus cases were detected there.

A notification issued by the varsity on Monday stated that the institution will remain closed until November 6 while all classes will be conducted online.

Students residing in the hostels have been directed to vacate them. However, those students who hail from remote areas, have been allowed to stay with the express permission of the chairpersons of their respective departments and the hostel advisory committee.

Earlier on Monday, the Islamabad district health officer (DHO) had issued a notice to seal the departments from where the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases were detected. However, now, the educational institution has been sealed off for 10 days as a precautionary measure.

The non-faculty members of QAU will be called by their respective section heads when needed.

So far, some 49 educational institutions in the federal capital have been shut down after Covid-19 cases were detected there.

Smart lockdowns

On the directions of the federal health ministry, the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) has resumed the practice of imposing smart lockdowns in different streets of the city to contain the second wave of the pandemic.

The ICTA has also started taking action against the violation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

ICT Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat has directed administration officials to visit marriage halls, markets and filling stations to check whether the SOPs are being implemented and to impose penalties for any laxity.

Commenting on the situation, a health ministry official said that several local administrative decisions have been made to control the spread of the disease.

He advised citizens to keep following precautionary measures including social distancing, the use of facemasks and other SOPs.

Earlier, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Covid-19 said that 91 new Covid-19 cases had been reported in the federal capital during the past 24 hours. At least two associated deaths were also reported.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2020.