Authorities seal 11 courts after staff, judges test positive for COVID-19

(Karachi) At least 11 courts working under the District and Sessions Court have been closed after judges and staff tested positive for coronavirus, local media reported.

Islamabad Bar Association Secretary Nabil Tahir Mirza said that there are 70 courts working under the District and Sessions Court of which 11 have been sealed after 12 judges and staff were infected with the disease.

The sealed courts include three courts of additional and sessions judge, the court of a senior civil judge and seven courts of civil judges, he said. "A few lawyers have also tested positive for Covid-19," he stated.

Earlier, health authorities warned that the second wave of COVID-19 has hit the country as new cases were reported from all provinces. The number of cases increased after people thought situation had normalized,” the officials said. They stated that people ignored coronas SOPs and started shaking hands and meeting without masks.

The said that if strict measures are not taken, the situation would go out of control.

In wake of the second COVID-19 wave, the government imposed micro lockdown in several areas in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi etc besides sealing shops, restaurants, and markets to contain the spread of virus.

The government laid down strict COVID-19 rules making wearing masks compulsory in confined spaces especially in public transport, markets and railway stations.

The authorities also decided to close all commercial activities including shopping malls, marriage halls, restaurants by 10pm local time with essential services namely hospitals and medical stores allowed to remain open.