The city administration in Lahore sealed over 100 shops for violating the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Punjab government and warned to get tougher by the day if shopkeepers and people do not behave.

Explaining the activity, an official of the district administration said: “Thursday was more of a warning shot. It was day first of implementation of the SOPs and the administration just wanted to convey its seriousness to traders. The severity and frequency of raids would certainly increase by the day if violations are reported.”

The same happened in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where the capital administration sealed two commercial centres, 22 industrial units and more than 100 stores for violating SOPs introduced to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Administration officials were sent out to monitor SOP implementation after a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases reported in the city. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat, assistant commissioners and magistrates went out separately to check various localities.

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