SWABI: The University of Swabi was closed till March 28 over emergence of coronavirus cases here on Saturday.

A notification issued by the varsity registrar said after Covid-19 infected some students, faculty and staff members, the university was closed with immediate effect till March 28. However, classes during the period will be conducted online.

The notification said chairpersons/heads of departments and heads of sections would continue to attend to their duties as usual. The essential staff related to academic and administrative offices will come to the university whenever needed while strictly adhering to the SOPs already notified by the government and the university.

Separately, the assistant commissioner closed various shops as the traders failed to observe the precautionary measures against coronavirus.

However, the traders reacted angrily and blocked the Swabi-Jehangira Road to protest against the action.

They asked as to who would pay the rent of their shops and meet expenditures of their families.

Laiq Khan, president of Anjuman-i-Dukandaran, said that frequent closure of markets had crippled the traders financially. He said the traders would resist any effort aimed at closing the markets.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2021