Pindi, Islamabad: Markets raided to check prices, 'social distancing'

The district administration of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Wednesday continued raids at various markets to check the prices and supply of essential commodities as well as campaign to bring awareness with respect to "social distancing" to control spread of the coronavirus.
The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration installed disinfection walk-through gate in Sabzi Mandi of the city. The administration would install a total of 20 sanitizing walk-through gates at various prominent locations of the city, to control the spread of coronavirus.
The points selected for installation of disinfection walk-through gates include three at Pak Secretariat, eight gates at various Katchi Abadies (slums), four at Panaghas (shelter homes), and other public places. After walking though these gates, disinfectants will help to kill the coronavirus.
In order to ensure provision of chlorine-mixed spray round-the-clock, water tankers have also been arranged to ensure provision of spray in the tanks attached with these sanitizing walk through gates.
According to a notification issued by the administration after detailed survey contact tracing, ground surveillance and testing of suspected individuals, the District Health Office has cleared H-9 Rimsha Colony from coronavirus cases.
Therefore, the said area is hereby de-sealed with immediate effect. The area will be regulated by the prevailing orders of Section 144 issued on March 23. The Islamabad and Rawalpindi administrations had completely sealed Bhara Kahu, Shahzad Town and Rimsha Colony, Dhoke Kashmirian, Dhoke Paracha and Magistrate Colony, after dozens of coronavirus cases were reported in the areas.
According to the administration, Bhara Khau and Shahzad Town would be de-sealed phase-wise.
Meanwhile, Saddar Assistant Commissioner (AC) conducted visits to various banks to check the measures taken to observe social distancing and provision of sanitizers at the ATMs. Those banks not following the SOPs were made to enforce the SOPs and provide fixed sanitizers at the ATM machines.
Teams visited various areas and conducted price control activity to check on the prices and supply of essential commodities. They also check different medical stores to check availability of masks and sanitizers.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rawalpindi, Rescue 1122 teams continued disinfection spray at Kalma Chowk, Kotha Kala and Gulraiz areas in Rawalpindi.
The DC visited area of Asghar Mall Road and checked market and banks to ensure implementation of "social distancing" at public places.
City Police Officer Muhammad Ahsan Younas visited various areas to ensure implementation of safety precautions, and urged the people to maintain distance.
They also carried out inspections of flour mills and imposed fine Rs130,000 on two flour mills for violating the quota policy, and stocking bags.
Only a small number of motorists were seen on the roads on Wednesday. The personnel of police, Rangers and army were seen patrolling the roads of the twin cities.
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 remained close.
Shops including medical stores/pharmacies, bakeries, meat, milk and grocery stores remained open.