ISLAMABAD: With the support of the Pakistan Army the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has sprung into action for implementation of Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the capital city.
Different teams of the ICT administration on Saturday visited different areas of the city to inspect hotels, restaurants, bus stands.
In violation of the lockdown, the area magistrate has imposed heavy fines on the shop owners and sealed the shops while 10 vehicles of the transporters have been stopped at different police stations.
According to sources, area magistrates visited G-10 Markaz for enforcement of lockdown orders. Multiple outlets were sealed for violation of lockdown orders and Covid-19 SOPs.
The markets were sealed in accordance with the directions of Deputy Commissioner ICT. These markets include I&T Center sector G-10, Buland Market G-10/1, Ghousia Market G-10/3, Sheraz Market G-10/3, Khan Market G-10/3, and Umer Market in sector G-10/4.
Secretary Islamabad Transport Authority along with field staff inspected public transport in the city in order to ensure the implementation of interprovincial lockdown, Covid-19 SOPs, overcharging, overloading, route completion and route permits.
According to the officials, 10 vehicles were checked and all 48 were challenged on the violations. Violators were also fined. According to the officials, new restrictions have been ordered in Islamabad.
There was a partial lockdown in Islamabad on Saturday. All public /private offices, shops, etc. would be closed except poultry, fruits, vegetable and pumps.
On the other hand, traders asked the government to withdraw the notification because the restrictions regarding the timing of markets caused crowds in the markets.
“A complete lockdown is unreasonable for the traders and lower working classes as they have already been facing financial crisis owing to the limitations imposed by the government to control the spread of the coronavirus.” They said.
Traders said, “The anti-business strategies of the government had brought economic stagnation. These policies have roughly affected import-export, trade and industrial activities,” they lamented.
