179 shops, six snooker clubs sealed for violating SOPs

CTP says mandatory to use masks for two or more people travelling in private vehicles

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi district administration sealed 179 shops, six snooker clubs and as many restaurants during the last seven days and arrested 11 people for violation of coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Punjab government.

According to a spokesperson, the district administration also imposed fines amounting to Rs331,000 on the violators.

He said that the city traffic police and the regional transport authority also conducted raids at public transport stands and imposed fines amounting to Rs620,600 for violation of SOPs.

He said that assistant commissioners and magistrates have been directed to remain in the field and ensure strict implementation of the SOPs and other preventive measures issued by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The district administration has urged the citizens to adopt all possible precautionary measures against coronavirus as strict adherence to the SOPs was inevitable to control the spread of the virus.

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He said that the administration had launched a crackdown on violators. Meanwhile, Chief Traffic Officer Rai Mazhar Iqbal has directed traffic wardens to issue challan to bikers, motorists and drivers for not wearing face masks.

A CTP spokesperson said that all circle, sector in charges and traffic wardens have been directed to penalise people violating the SOPs put in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

He said that in view of the alarming rise of coronavirus cases, strict action was being taken against people violating the SOPs.

The spokesperson said that it was necessary to use masks for two or more people travelling in private vehicles, he said, adding that challan would not be issued in case of one person in a private vehicle while masks would be required for all the passengers travelling in the public transport.

He urged the citizens to cooperate with CTP and follow the instructions of the government and the health authorities.

“It is essential for every person to follow SOPs to contain the spread of the virus, he added. “All the citizens will have to play a role individually to contain the spread of the virus,” he said.