RAWALPINDI: A total of 55 shops and markets were sealed in Saddar, Raza Bajaar and other parts of the district on Sunday for violating standard operating procedures (SOP) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Punjab government has allowed shops to open from Monday to Thursday between 8am and 5pm, but shops have to stay closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn that teams have been formed to monitor violations in the four districts of Rawalpindi division, and markets were sealed where violations were found.

He said the provincial government has issued clear directions to let small traders open businesses, but those that do not follow SOPs will be dealt with according to the law.

Fabric, clothing and shoe stores in Saddar, Ghousia Chowk, Sadiqabad, Iqbal Road and in and around Fawara Chowk and Raja Bazaarwere sealed.

More test positive in garrison city

Meanwhile, 120 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Rawalpindi, while 15 patients recovered and one died from the disease.

At least 1,736 have now been reported in Rawalpindi overall, with 64 deaths and 502 recoveries.

There are 437 patients being treated in hospitals and 733 patients isolated in their homes.

Another 474 suspected patients have been brought to Rawalpindi’s three hospitals and their samples sent to the National Institute of Health and Benazir Bhutto Hospital laboratory.

Local administration have quarantined 2,777 people who were close contacts of the confirmed patients, of whom 2,044 are in field hospitals and 733 in their homes.

In addition, 10 teams have been formed to decidewhether toisolate confirmed patients in their homes.

There are 1,249 passengers quarantined in dedicated facilities at the Fatima Jinnah Women University, Pir Mehr Ali Shah University and Engineering University Taxila. Of these, 360 passengers are from Rawalpindi and 889 are from outside the district.

Mr Mehmood told Dawn that the government has asked for SOPs to be implemented in all markets and no negligence will be tolerated from today (Monday).

He added: “People are also responsible for ensuring their safety for the sake of their loved ones. If people leave their houses, they should cover their mouth and hands and practice social distancing.”

Case registered against 350 procession holders

The Islamabad police arrested 67 people for violating standard operating procedures (SOP) issued to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and cases have been registered against them under section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The alleged lockdown violators had opened shops and ridden pillion on motorcycles, both of which are banned by the administration.

In addition, a case has been registered against more than 350 people for holding a procession despite a ban.

Secretariat police registered a case against people who held a procession at the Bari Imam Shrine and broke the shrine’s gate when they were not allowed in.

Golra police arrested 26 people for riding pillion and violating SOPs, while Margalla police arrested seven traders, Tarnol police arrested five, Karachi Company police arrested four and Ramna police arrested two. Noon police arrested seven people, Shams Colony police arrested six and Nilor police arrested four. — Additional reporting by Ikram Junaidi

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2020