Pindi observes partial lockdown

Only major markets close while shops, bazaars in neighbourhoods stay open

RAWALPINDI:

The business activities in Rawalpindi remained partially closed while all markets in the inner city remained open. A large number of citizens also did not comply with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Saturday.

Punjab government had declared Rawalpindi as a highly-sensitive district due to a rapid surge in the novel coronavirus disease cases and imposed smart lockdown in many localities.

Moreover, the government had ordered the closure of all businesses on weekends to prevent contagion from spreading.

However, contrary to government orders only Raja Bazaar, Commercial Market, Murree Road, Tench Bhatta, Scheme III, Dhok Syedan Bazaar, Sixth Road, and Saidpur Road remained completely shut. The rest of the shopping areas in the city remained partially open.

The shops in the inner city areas remained open where a large number of citizens avoided wearing facemasks. The district administration and police kept instructing traders to close their businesses on loudspeakers. However, the traders would roll down the shutters when the police teams come for checking and resume business when they leave.

The district administration said that as per the government's order, all shopping malls were supposed to be closed on Friday and Saturday.

In a meeting with Rawalpindi deputy commissioner (DC) Anwarul Haq, the traders had agreed to keep businesses closed on Friday and Saturday instead of earlier suggestion of Saturday and Sunday.

However, despite the assurance of complying with two-day lockdown, it was business as usual in Bara Market, Talwaran Bazaar, Urdu Bazaar, Ganj Mandi, Grain Market, Wheat Market, Fruit Market, City Saddar Road Bazaar, College Road, Imperial Market, Moti Bazaar, Dongi Khoi, and Purana Qila.

The district officials said that all patrolling teams have been directed to take stern action against the traders violating the smart lockdown.

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They added that the shops would be sealed and heavy fines will be imposed on traders disregarding the government’s orders.

Screening of inmates

Amid the third wave of Covid-19, the Adiala Jail authorities started the screening of inmates on Saturday. The screening process will continue round-the-clock, sources said.

Officials of Rawalpindi District Health Authority (DHA) will check the prisoners in an organised way, moving from barrack to barrack, they said.

Until now, none of the prisoners has been tested positive for the disease. However, sources told The Express Tribune that Adiala Jail was housing more inmates than its sanctioned capacity which makes social distancing impossible and increases the threat of catching viral infections.

The sources told that, however, the jail administration was taking special care of cleanliness in the jail while the screening had begun too.

According to current protocols, the inmates undergo coronavirus tests on showing symptoms while they are immediately isolated too.

The sources informed extra soap bars have been kept in the bathrooms and frequent usage of hand sanitisers was also being ensured.

It added that no inmate of Adiala Jail has returned positive yet while new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been devised for new arrivals to protect those already housed. The sources told that the visitors were also required to meet inmates under SOPs.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2021.