ISLAMABAD: The capital administration has decided to continue the lockdown in Islamabad for another two weeks after the number of Covid-19 cases rose to 131.

Although no new cases were reported by evening on Tuesday, the lockdown has been extended because of the gradual rise in cases with no stability or decline so far.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat confirmed that the lockdown in the capital has been extended for a fortnight. He said a notification in this regard will be issued by Tuesday night. He said the decision was made according to the government’s guidance and decision to continue the lockdown.

Islamabad was locked down on March 24 through the imposition of CrPC section 144 on public gatherings in light of the spread of the coronavirus.

At the time, the administration decided to impose a lockdown for 15 days which was extended for another eight days on April 7; this extension ended on April 14.

A large number of people left their houses on Tuesday assuming the lockdown had ended and headed to Marghazar Zoo, Japanese Park, Daman-i-Koh and Pir Sohawa. Others tried to hike up the trails on the Margalla Hills.

Officials from the police and capital administration said that around 90 vehicles were seen parked around the zoo and the park, and dozens were heading up the hills. Dozens of vehicles were also parked on Ataturk Avenue.

Officials reached these areas after learning of the situation and asked people to leave immediately as section 144 was still imposed in the city.

Many people believed it had expired, and while a few left the majority stayed. As a result, the traffic police were called to fine vehicles whose drivers were present.

These vehicles were then lifted and taken to Kohsar police station and traffic police office near the zoo, they said. They estimated that more than 60 vehicles were lifted and dozens of drivers fined.

102 Covid-19 cases caused by local transmission

The total number of Covid-19 cases reported in the capital has reached 131, and officials said that of these 18 people had travelled from abroad. They said 102 people caught the disease through local transmission, while 11 were members of the Tableeghi Jamaat and locals who contracted the disease from them.

They said the capital has two hospitals with facilities to isolate and treat patients of Covid-19 which have an overall capacity of 40 beds. There are currently 19 people admitted to these hospitals, of which 16 are stable and three are critical and on ventilators.

The other 96 active cases are either being isolated in their homes or in quarantine centres, they said. So far, 15 people have recovered and one person has died.

The capital has 16 quarantine facilities with a total capacity of 700. So far, these centres have accommodated 1,950 people; there are currently 279 in these facilities, of which 28 people have tested positive.

Nine doctors and a nurse in Islamabad have tested positive for Covid-19, the officials said. Three cases have also been confirmed among paramedics and other healthcare staff. All these patients are in isolation in hospitals or at home, and are in stable condition.

Stationery shops may be allowed to open

The officials said that stationery shops may be allowed to open in the capital as a new academic session is about to begin. They said that while schools are providing online facilities for students and are sending assignments that can be completed at home, students and parents have complained that course materials are not available because markets and stationery stores are closed.

The administration is therefore considering allowing such shops to open, and the concerned authorities such as the Ministry of National Health Services are being approached for guidance and advice.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2020