MINGORA: Scores of shops and bus stands were sealed on Sunday in various districts for violating the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government for continuing operations amid coronavirus emergency.

In Swat, the district administration sealed several shops and business centres. The campaign has been launched in different tehsils of Swat district to ensure implementation of SOPs framed by the government for different businesses.

Deputy commissioner Saqib Raza Aslam said that strict action would be taken against those shopkeepers and traders who failed to follow the SOPs framed for their businesses to continue operation during the lockdown.

“We have to protect people from coronavirus which can be done only if shopkeepers, restaurant owners, vendors, transporters and other business owners follow the SOPs devised by the government,” he said.

Following the directives, AC Babuzai Amir Ali Shah and AC Kabal tehsil Irfan Ali visited various markets, filling stations and bus stands in Mingora and Kabal tehsils.

“We have sealed and fined over 10 shops as well as bus stands in Mingora where the shopkeepers and transporters were not following their SOPs,” said Mr Shah. He also sealed Shahdara Kabal and Nepkikhel bus stands as the transporters were found violating the SOPs devised for the passengers and transporters against Covid-19.

lrfan Ali distributed masks among general public and shopkeepers in Kabal bazaar to raise awareness of the virus threat among masses. In Khar, the Bajaur district administration on Sunday arrested several transporters for ignoring measures to check the spread of Covid-19 in the region.

A senior official of the district administration told this correspondent that about 20 transporters, drivers and their helpers had been arrested from different bus stands during raids meant to check implementation of SOPs set by the administration to contain the spread of coronavirus.

“We also visited Jinnah Bus terminal, the main bus stand in the district, and arrested several transporters for not observing the relevant protocols,” said AC Habibullah Wazir.

He said leaders of the transporters associations had promised that they would strictly follow the SOPs set for resuming transport services in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

In Shangla, the administration sealed several shops and a clinic for violating the SOPs.

Assistant commissioner, revenue, Azhar Zahoor conducted raids on different markets in Alpuri tehsil the other day and sealed six shops for violating the SOPs and a dental clinic run by a quack.

A case was also registered against the quack and his outlet was sealed.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2020