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ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Islamabad have closed the city’s largest mosque for the general public as the capital witnesses a surge in coronavirus cases.
“Faisal Mosque is being closed down for the general public,” Islamabad Additional Deputy Commissioner Rana Waqas Anwar said in a tweet, adding that prayers at the mosque would continue at a “limited scale.”
Faisal Mosque can accommodate 250,000 worshippers at one time. The mosque’s triangular prayer hall alone can accommodate 100,000 people. It is the largest mosque in South Asia and the fourth largest in the world.
Islamabad has imposed a series of new restrictions and partial lockdowns in the past few days to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Faisal Mosque is being closed down for the general public; prayers shall continue at a limited scale with complete distancing. pic.twitter.com/YlCnzguna1
— Additional Deputy Commissioner(ADCG), Islamabad (@rmwaq) March 20, 2021
Assistant Commissioner (AC) Industrial Area visited Faisal Mosque and closed the mosque for general public except for offering prayers. An announcement was made in the mosque regarding closure of the mosque and the imposition of lockdown in Islamabad.
Similarly, I-8 Markaz has been closed while the officials would keep regular inspections for COVID-19 SOPs implementation. The Assistant Commissioner visited I-8 and G-8 Markaz and closed all shops and restaurants and issued strict instructions regarding adherence to the lockdown. He visited Centaurus Mall and all the non-essential stores were closed.
AC (Secretariat) visited Marriott Hotel to check implementation of COVID-19 SOPs. A cafe was closed as per directions of the NCOC no outside guests are being allowed for dine-in. However, in-house guests are also being served outside in open air under strict compliance of the Covid protocols
They said that AC (City) visited Aabpara Market to enforce weekend lockdown of all commercial activities except essential services. The traders of the area were briefed about the latest directions of regarding measures to counter third wave of the pandemic
AC (Shalimar) inspected Shalimar subdivision to ensure compliance to the notification issued by the DC office where all shops other than essential services have been closed. Those who were not following the SOPs were fined on the spot.
AC (Rural) visited Allama Iqbal Model Town and closed the school as per the decision of DHO Office upon violation of COVID-19 SOPs. He also visited restaurants, malls and shops to check implementation of safety precautions in Tarlai, PWD and Jinnah Town.
