Twin cities' admins increase restrictions on people's movement

With the number of coronavirus cases soaring to more than 1,128 in the country and 29 in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the district administrations have increased restrictions on the movement of people and accelerated its actions against violators of standard operation procedures (SOPs) devised to control the spread of COVID-19.
The twin cities wore a deserted look for the forth consecutive day on Thursday, following the closure of markets, schools and public transport. The administration has increased restrictions on the movement of people coming out from their homes as well as deployed army and police personnel at all entry and exit points of the city.
The personnel of police, Rangers and army were seen patrolling the roads of the twin cities on Thursday too. The number of vehicles plying on roads of both the cities was minimal as public transport was off the road.
Majority of the shops in the major markets in both the cities including Aabpara, Karachi Company, Peshawar Mor, F-6 and F-7, I-8, G-10 Markaz, Commercial Market, Raja Bazaar, Pindora as well as several other smaller markets remain closed, while shops including medical stores/pharmacies, bakeries, meat, milk and grocery stores were open.
The situation was not different in the smaller markets located in various sectors of Islamabad where all the barber shops, tailor shops, hotels, restaurants as well as makeshift food stalls were closed for all kinds of business activity.
The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration has also opened four ration warehouses in the city, to provide necessary food to the underprivileged, along with 15 mobile dastarkhawan facilities to distribute cooked meals in various areas including at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Polyclinic Hospital, Aabpara market, Sector F-11/2, Sector F-10/2, Khana pul, Ali Pur, Taramari Chowk, and Faizabad.
On the advice of public health experts, the district administration has started disinfection from PIMS then Bara Kahu then Sabzi Mandi as well as in some other areas. The administration completely sealed Bhara Kahu, Rimsha Colony H-9 Islamabad, and Shehzad Town for all kinds of traffic, after some people were tested positive for the virus.
According to the notification issued, pursuant to the recent confirmed reports of individuals infected with coronavirus residing in Rimsha Colony H-9 Islamabad and Shehzad Town, Islamabad, the entire area falling in the these localities are sealed forthwith in exercise of powers conferred under Epidemic Disease Act (1958), in larger public interest and to prevent widespread outbreak of coronavirus.
Heavy contingents of police, Rangers and army were deployed at all entry and exits points of the area. The administration also issued SOPs for taxi service. Any taxi/taxi service running in the capital city was directed to ensure wearing of masks, gloves, use of frequent hand wash after dropping each passenger, prohibition of reuse of mask and gloves, and open windows during passengers onboard.