Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD / RAWALPINDI: With the quantity constructive novel coronavirus (COVID-19) sufferers within the federal capital rising to 11 and the district administration banning public gathering by imposing Part 144 of the Felony Process Code (CrPC) and most main markets, purchasing centres, public spots closed, the streets of the federal capital remained hauntingly empty on Sunday.
Even the markets, which have been allowed to stay open as a result of they bought important items, seemed bereft of consumers.
Within the federal capital, which is busy on weekends, wore a desolated look. Leisure websites corresponding to Shakarparian, Nationwide Monument, Marga lla Hills, and so on seemed abandoned.
Individuals are not even allowed to or roam round or loiter within the gardens of the Faisal Mosque. These arriving to supply prayers have been pressured to go away as soon as their spiritual obligation was full.
Residents of Islamabad mentioned that they’ve realised that the federal government alone can not stop the outbreak if individuals don’t help it.
Chatting with The Categorical Tribune, native Ghulam Ali mentioned that they totally help the measures introduced by the federal government.
“We can only get rid of the virus through joint efforts,” he mentioned, including that most individuals at the moment are avoiding venturing exterior of their houses on the weekend.
One other resident, Musa, mentioned that he prefers to remain at house as an alternative of going out unnecessarily given the scenario.
Askari, one other resident of the federal capital, echoed the feelings expressed by Ali and mentioned that the federal government wants assist from the general public to arrest this pandemic.
In the meantime, the police and district administration stringently enforced the ban on public gatherings and occasions within the twin cities.
In neighbouring Rawalpindi, some 27 individuals have been arrested for allegedly working tea outlets and permitting the general public to collect there. Some individuals, who attended a marriage ceremony regardless of the ban on such occasions, have been additionally arrested.
In a crackdown, police arrested 16 shopkeepers from totally different areas of the Rawal and Potohar divisions for opening their shops whereas three individuals have been arrested for internet hosting marriage ceremony ceremonies.
In the meantime, the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) has determined to ban the group of cattle markets and weekly bazaars in and across the federal capital till additional orders as a part of its battle towards the virus.
The ICTA has additionally banned public gatherings, marriage ceremony occasions, in addition to on the meeting of greater than 4 individuals. Eating places and meals shops are working as solely take-away and supply providers whereas none of them is allowed to open their eating halls for serving the general public.
Quarantined
Earlier on Saturday, some 13 members of the Tableeghi Jamaat have been quarantined after considered one of them examined constructive for COVID-19.
After quarantining the suspected sufferers, the district administration sprayed disinfectants within the mosque the place the group had stayed and later sealed the ability.
The markets and purchasing malls, apart from these shops which promote groceries, dairy objects, or different important commodities have been shut down at 10pm.
Discharged
No less than eight suspected sufferers of coronavirus have been discharged from the Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) in Rawalpindi on Sunday after they examined damaging for the virus.
Amongst them have been 4 from the household of Noor Zaib, who had examined constructive for COVID-19. Zaib, in the meantime, stays underneath remedy on the Rawalpindi Institute of Urology and Kidney Transplant (RIUKT) — which has been transformed right into a devoted centre to isolate and deal with COVID-19 sufferers.
In the meantime, three extra sufferers from Rawalpindi have been quarantined and their samples have been despatched to the Nationwide Institute of Well being (NIH) for testing.
Minimal courtroom workers
In the meantime, the Islamabad Excessive Court docket (IHC) has determined to scale back the variety of workers who’ve to return to the courts in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A notification issued on Sunday learn that “The courts, as well as all branches of the IHC and district courts, shall operate with minimum duty judges and staff on rotation”.
The notification additional urged judges and courtroom staff to take all attainable precautionary measures to make sure their security and people of others.
Revealed in The Categorical Tribune, March 23rd, 2020.
