Lockdown to be further tightened in Capital

In the wake of rapid increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country in general, and the capital city in particular, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration has decided to further tighten the lockdown in order to control the spread of the COVID-19.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat flanked by Muhammad Kashif Chaudhry of Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran said that the administration had decided to further tighten the lockdown. He said that 60 percent of the people tested positive for coronavirus in the city had travel history.
Shafqaat said that the ICT had set up 17 free home delivery centres for the delivery of food items to the residents of Islamabad.
In the next three days, one each, free home delivery centre will be set up at the 50 Union Councils of the city, he said. Shafqaat said that the administration had also set up three big Ration Centres and the people could also contribute charity at those centers. "We have conducted PCR test of people who came from abroad," he said, adding that "today some people will arrive from abroad and their PCR test will also be conducted." Shafqaat said that the administration had adequate stock of food items for another 15 days.
He said that the total number of coronavirus positive cases in the city was so far 51. "If people continued attending funeral prayers of coronavirus victims then it would be difficult to control the spread of the virus," Shafqaat said.
The deputy commissioner said that the administration had sealed the areas including Bhara Kahu, Shahzad Town, and Rimsha Colony after from some people were tested positive for coronavirus.
We are also tracing people, he said. Kashif Chaudhry said that food items would be provided at wholesale rates at the doorstep of the people.
The traders of the federal capital are fulfilling their responsibility of delivery of food items to poor people, he said. He appealed to the philanthropists to come forward for assistance of poor people and doctors. Meanwhile, the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad wore a deserted look with closure of markets and public transport, only a small number of motorists were seen on the roads.
The personnel of police, Rangers and army were seen patrolling the roads of the twin cities to limit people to their home.
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.
Shops including medical stores/pharmacies, bakeries, meat, milk, and grocery stores remained open.
The public transport has been banned, however taxi drivers as well as some pick-up drivers managed to run their vehicles on traditional routes.
Medical stores especially in proximity of hospitals are open, however the coronavirus protective items such as hand gloves, face masks and sanitizers were not available there.
People living in upscale areas as compared with the other areas of the city appeared to observe social distancing policy more strictly. The district administration of Rawalpindi has established 19 trucking points for facilitating public for supply of flour.
The points are set up at Committee Chowk, Haideri Chowk, Dhok Kala Khan, Sir Syed Chowk, Bani Chowk, Chour Chowk, Chungi No 22, Jehanda Cochin, Ghulzar-e-Quaid, Transformer Chowk, Dokh Hussey, Anwar Market, Ring Road, Mohallah Raja Sultan, New Khatarian, Khwaja Corporation, Adiala Road, Damiyal Camp, Chakbeli Khan, and Murree.