PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has extended ban on inter-district and intra-district public transport till April 5as part of the initiatives taken for tackling the issue of coronavirus in the province.

The ban on public service vehicles was imposed initially for one week on March 23 that was extended in the wake of escalation in the transmission of Covid-19 and owing to immediate requirement of further preventive measures for social distancing.

According to a notification issued by relief, rehabilitation and settlement department here on Sunday, all bus stands and vehicle terminals of public transport will remain closed till further order.

It said that all goods transport vehicles would be allowed to operate unhindered on inter-provincial, inter-district and intra-district routes, but for carriage of goods only. All transport unions along with district administration will identify takeaway food points for drivers operating goods vehicles on main roads and highways.

Hazara Expressway closed to all kinds of traffic

However, the order will not be applicable to plying of private vehicles. For the safety purposes, all the people intending to travel in private vehicles will be advised to do so when extremely essential and to ensure precautions of minimum distance and use of disinfectants and sanitisers during such travel.

The department through another notification has issued guidelines to clarify various exemptions to general orders on the measures of social and physical distancing notified from time to time by district administration and police.

It stated that all activities granted exemption would be facilitated and instructions would be communicated effectively to the lowest tier with clarity. All such persons accessing such commodities and /or services will be subject to protocols issued from time to time as well as social and physical distancing and the limitations of assembly for persons as notified under Section 144, whenever applicable.

All persons roaming around aimlessly or sitting and standing without purpose in front of shops, on roads or any other public place will be removed. The divisional commissioners will decide timings for the exemptions as deemed appropriate and will also give any further directions in particular matters while remaining within the overall parameters of this notification.

The government has also announced that the order of public holidays till April 5 through the province will also not apply to some other essential departments with their attached lower formations that include industries, agriculture, public health engineering and labour departments.

Meanwhile, IGP Dr Sanaullah Abbasi on Sunday reviewed city police’s coronavirus related activities through drone and surveillance chips.

A statement issued here said that Dr Abbasi reviewed police activities in different parts of the city and issued necessary instructions to the quarters concerned for making best use of the modern gadgets in professional obligations.

The police chief was shown the steps adopted for safety and security of different quarantine centres in various parts of Peshawar, presence of police at several points and situation of different markets and bazaars through drone feed.

Dr Abbasi expressed satisfaction over the use of surveillance chip and drone camera and stressed the need for using modern technology in emergency situation.

Separately, Dr Abbasi held discussion with Andy Marsh, chief constable Somerset Police UK. The UK police commissioner gave a briefing to him on the activities of his organisation regarding prioritising all efforts and resources to Covid-19 response and communication strategy for community awareness.

In Mansehra, expressway police restricted inter-district mobility of transport and launched an awareness campaign to contain spread of Covid-19.

“We have banned entry of both public and private vehicles on expressway and launched an awareness campaign to contain outbreak of coronavirus,” Amir Khan, head of expressway police in Hazara, told journalists here on Sunday.

He said that on the directives of DIG Kareem Khan, they had erected billboards at entry and exits points on expressway to senstise passengers and motorists about the deadly consequence of Covid-19.

“The drivers should keep away from expressway until the government lifts ban on use of expressway,” said Mr Khan.

In Mardan, the administration of cantonment board imposed ban on gathering of more than four persons in its limits.

The cantonment has issued a notification, saying stern action would be taken against the violators. It said that all parks and playgrounds in the cantonment would remain closed for indefinite time or till further order.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2020

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