Twin cities witness huge rush of motorists despite lockdown

Despite sharp increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, huge rush of motorists was witnessed on various roads of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in violation of lockdown imposed by the administration to control spread of the COVID-19.

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration and the Punjab government imposed lockdown on March 23 in the wake of spread of coronavirus to restrict people to their homes and also asked people not to come out of their homes unnecessarily.

Following lockdown police and personnel of Rangers set up special pickets at various roads to discourage people not to come out of their homes and made some arrests in this regard.

Despite different measures taken by the administration, the number of motorists is increasing day by day on various roads, which may further deteriorate the situation.

Only public transport did not came on road as the government has imposed ban on its movement. The number of coronavirus cases rose in the federal capital on Thursday to 102 bringing the country's tally of the COVID-19 infections to 4,414, according to the official data.

According to the official data, Punjab has 2,171 cases followed by Sindh 1,128, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 560, Balochistan 212, Gilgit-Baltistan 213, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 28. Till the filling of this report, 572 coronavirus patients have so far recovered, and 63 have died across the country.

However, like other parts of the country, majority of the shops in the major markets in both the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi 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. Despite government permission majority of the private clinics and hospitals did not open their out patients departments (OPDs).

The administration has also completely unsealed Bhara Kahu and Shahzad Town from where some cases of coronavirus were reported after complete screening. The administration has further relaxed lockdown and allowed dry cleaners and laundries to continue their operation.

Through another notification, keeping in view the difficulties faced by the general public and patients in getting medical assistance, the ban imposed on the closure of OPDs was lifted with immediate effect. However, the hospital management shall strictly abide by the notified SOPs.

The administrations of both the cities selected points for disbursement of fund under Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program. The district administration teams of both the cities continued price checking at various markets and disinfection spray in the various parts of the cities.

The city police have installed a disinfectant walk-through gate at Bhara Kahu Police Station to check spread of coronavirus as the Bhara Kahu was the most affected area.

Meanwhile, according to a notification issued by office of the district magistrate, Islamabad Capital Territory on Thursday, on the recommendations of the district health office and recent confirmed reports of individuals infected with COVID-19 residing in main street and street C-2, Lane C, Irfanabad, Taramri Chowk, Islamabad are hereby sealed forthwith to prevent spread of coronavirus. Moreover, Islamabad police, Pakistan Army and Rangers have been requested to cordon off the area to ensure public safety.