PESHAWAR: The district administration, on the recommendations of health department, ordered here on Sunday to impose smart lockdown in 32 areas of Peshawar to control spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

The administration also in its week-long operation to enforce the pandemic-related measures has sealed 58 restaurants and more than 100 shops besides imposing fine on 500 people for not wearing masks.

A statement issued here said that more than 200 commuters of Bus Rapid Transit were among the people, who were fined for not wearing masks. It said that the new campaign was launched to protect people from coronavirus besides imposing smart lockdown in 32 localities of the district.

The administration engaged religious scholars to deliver special Friday sermons on coronavirus and affixed awareness posters at various mosques and seminaries including Masjid Mahabbat Khan, Masjid Qasim Ali Khan, Masjid Rahman Baba, Madrasa Kitabul Suna, Masjid Ganj Ali Khan and Madressah Hifzul Quran and Sheikh Junaidabad.

The administration also sealed 51 wedding halls in different parts of the provincial metropolis for holding functions.

Smart lockdown has been imposed in sectors D-II, D-IV, D-V and E-III of Phase-I; Sector C-III of Phase-V; sector-H-II, P-II of Phase-IV in Hayatabad and Zaryab Colony bound by Afghan Colony Road; Faqirabad Road; and Saeedabad bound by Saddar Road, Shami Road and Kabul Road; Mushtaqabad bound by Nauthia Road, Shafiq General Store Road and Chaman Zar ColonyRoad; Lalazar area bound by Wazir Dand Canal, Lalazar Road, Industrial Estate Road and Marjan Gathering Road; Street No.9 of Gulbahar No.2; and Faisal Colony bound by Dalazak Road, Faisal Colony Road and Gharibabad Road.

Deputy Commissioner Khalid Mehmood told journalists that sealing of wedding halls was meant to contain the third wave of Covid-19. He said that anyone not following social distancing, overlooking face masks or holding events in closed premises would be held accountable.

During regulatory inspections, officials inspected marble factories in Darmangi and Pir Bala areas of Warsak Road and sealed 14 units for not installing effluent mechanism within their premises in violation of Environmental Protection Act, 2014 and polluting drains and irrigation channels with waste water.

The sealed factories were earlier told through notices to install proper waste disposal plants and adopt hygienic standards, failing which action was initiated against them.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2021