Citizens resist coronavirus SOPs

Security guards serving in public places in the provincial capital are facing lack of cooperation from citizens in implementing the coronavirus safety measure of ensuring the wearing of masks.

The National Command and Operations Centre has made masks mandatory for the citizens all over the country, but the security guards complain of misbehaviour by those who are told to follow the instruction. Several cases of altercations and brawls over the issue have been reported in recent days.

Muhammad Yousuf and Naveed Ashraf are deputed as security guards at the gate of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park and their duties now include ensuring those entering the premises wear masks to curb the spread of the second wave of coronavirus. They complained that the visitors were not cooperating with them and in some cases the arguments escalated into quarrels.

The security guards said they were urging people to take steps announced by the government to combat coronavirus.

Health experts have also warned that the pandemic would spread if the people continue to be careless in following the precautionary measures.

A security guard serving at a gate of the Greater Iqbal Park said that when the visitors were asked to wear masks, many of them argue that coronavirus was not a serious issue and they should not be forced to wear facemasks.

The government has also put up posters to inform the people that entry into public places without a mask is not allowed but many people are not ready for taking the precautionary measures. A guard said even people travelling with their families, including children, were not taking the instructions seriously.

A police official, Amanat, said that instructions had been issued by the government for implementation of coronavirus SOPs but it was difficult to implement them. “The main reason for this is our general attitude. Citizens ignore government’s directives. When they don’t take coronavirus seriously, how will they follow the SOPs?”

He said the citizens were requested to wear masks in order to protect themselves from the pandemic, but they had many excuses. Some say they are going to get a mask from a medical store. When fines are imposed on them or FIRs are lodged against them, they come up with requests and use their contacts to evade action.”

On the other hand, a businessman of Anarkali, Mian Asghar Ali, said visitors in the big market of the city ignored the SOPs despite clear instructions. “When they are stopped from entering shops or malls without masks, they start fighting. They do not understand that the ban has been imposed for their own benefit.”

Similarly, a security official posted at Race Park said that if visitors were prevented from entering the park, they started arguing. “We cannot fight with everyone,” he said, adding that the officials were forced to relax the restrictions in some situations.

Commenting on the situation, Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Muhammad Omar Sheikh said the police were committed to implementing the anti-coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs). The risk of the pandemic has increased across the country and the number of cases is on the rise. In view of the outbreak, the government guidelines will be implemented.

The CCPO has issued orders to field officers to take action along with the health department and the district administration against those violating the SOPs. Under the SOPs, the people have been advised to ensure social distance at crowded places, wear masks and use sanitizer to protect themselves from the virus.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2020.