ISLAMABAD: Two phases of Ghouri Town that have been identified as hotspots for the coronavirus will go into lockdown today (Friday).

Capital administration officials said that Ghouri Town Phase IV-A and V-A will be sealed by Friday evening, but their commercial areas and surroundings will stay open.

Including these two areas, the number of localities sealed in the capital to limit the spread of the coronavirus will reach 14 by Friday evening. G-9/2, G-9/3, G-9 Markaz, I-8/3, I-8/4, I-10/1 and I-10/2, the I-8 and I-10 marakiz, G-6/2, G-6/1, G-7/2 and G-10/4 have been sealed since June 13.

The administration had earlier sealed a few localities in Guljaran, Chattha Bakhtawar and the National Police Foundation to combat the spread of the virus as well.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat told Dawn that Phase IV-A and V-A of Ghouri Town will be sealed at 7pm on June 26, until further orders.

He said that it was initially decided to seal Phase VII and VIII of Ghouri Town, but ground surveillance in various parts of Ghouri Town revealed that the spread of the coronavirus was greater in Phase IV-A and V-A compared to other phases, including VII and VIII.

“According to the surveillance report, these areas have more active cases and the chance of growth is higher there,” he said.

Both phases have a population of 20,000, Mr Shafqaat said. Each phase has reported more than 40 new cases of Covid-19 in the last few days since ground surveillance began.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2020