LAHORE: As the Punjab government struggles to do its best to ensure implementation of the lockdown, many housing societies in Lahore are also taking their own measures to make sure residents maintain physical distance and take all precautionary measures.

The residents of A1 Sector of Township said the lockdown was being followed generally, especially for the last two days.

“Most of the residents in this part of Township are being careful in following the rules,” said Mona Pakeeza, a resident. “At the same time, right outside our gate in Sector A2, some residents don’t seem to be bothered.”

She told Dawn that the house helps were not allowed to enter the society without displaying their identity cards. Sanitary workers were allowed in, but not without protective gear such as masks and gloves. However, the society mosque was not closed and Friday prayers were still being held, she added.

In Askari V, X and XI, there were stricter measures and more than one person in a vehicle was not allowed.

“Restaurant delivery riders are not allowed through the gate. Either they have to walk inside to deliver the food or a resident has to walk to the gate, which is quite illogical and inconvenient,” says Hassan, a resident.

In Askari IX, residents said no one was allowed inside and people were mostly avoiding going out of the society themselves.

Valencia Town has taken some remarkable measures. Kashif Malik, a member of the management committee, said they had taken a number of steps on their own besides following the government guidelines.

“We have 22 WhatsApp groups -- one for each block -- where our members take responsibility for the needs of the residents,” he claims. “We inform them of new rules and of the severity of the situation. Any new rules are announced through a loudspeaker first and then personally to the shopkeepers. If anyone violates Section 144 or other rules, we inform the local police.”

Out of the 11 entrances to Valencia Town, only two were open. The society had set up a production unit for masks, which were distributed to each household – five per family – and if more were needed the family could buy each mask for Rs22, he added.

Mr Malik said they had also arranged disinfectant services at a nominal rate, and the president of the society, who was a businessman, was helping produce sanitisers and disinfectants. The water supply was being chlorinated for domestic use, while there were eight filtration plants for drinking water. He further said the mosques and markets were disinfected daily, and more than five to seven people were not allowed inside a mosque at a time.

“We have given PPE to our guards so they can do their duty safely,” he added.

Meanwhile, residents of PAF Falcon Complex said the guards had been provided with thermal scanners to check everybody entering the society and everyone was made to sanitise their hands before entering. Non-residents were not allowed to enter.

The situation with domestic workers is more or less the same throughout the housing societies. In some places, such as PCSIR, residents had to call the security guards at the gate to allow their domestic workers to enter. In PCSIR, there was strict adherence to timings and only residents could leave and come in. Mosques were also open, but only five people could pray at a time.

In Mustafa Town, more than two persons in a car were not allowed to enter the gate. Grocery stores, tandoors and fruit and vegetable markets were open till 5pm with spots marked at all these places to ensure distancing, while medical stores were open till 8pm. More than four people were not allowed in a grocery store at a time. However, the society mosques were not following rules, and newspapers were not being delivered either.

A resident of State Life Society said outsiders could only enter between 8am and 5pm after which there was strict checking. No domestic help was allowed, while the society also carried out disinfectant spray regularly. Only the shops selling basic necessities were allowed to stay open from 8am to 5pm. Mosques were also open to public.

In Shah Taj Colony also, only grocery stores were open till 5pm, while medical stores were open 24 hours.

“The guards are only letting the residents enter and leave,” says Arshad, a resident. “They make sure everyone is wearing a mask. People are generally not leaving their houses, not even to the mosque.”

Members of the public interviewed across the city seem to be observing the lockdown, but some have complained of facing inconvenience since their domestic help and handymen have been stopped from entering the residential societies.

“We have a plumbing issue at home, but can’t call in anyone to fix it,” says Tariq, a resident of Askari IX.

Meanwhile, in DHA, working class neighbourhoods such as Nishat Colony were cordoned off with barricades, and even pedestrians were not allowed inside DHA. Otherwise, traffic was smooth on the DHA Main Boulevard without any checking, and shops open till 5pm.

On the other hand, since public transport has been largely barred in the city, only a handful of rickshaws were seen in the DHA, which were also overcharging.

Army personnel have been deputed outside DHA EME, while Green Forts would not let anyone enter, including the domestic help. Model Town Society turns off its streetlights after 5pm, however many residents have complained that this could be a potential security risk.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2020