RAWALPINDI: In view of the extraordinary increase in the number of patients infected with coronavirus, a complete lockdown will be imposed in the four districts of Rawalpindi during Eid holidays.

All tourism sites will be closed and no one will be allowed to visit Murree in this period.Commissioner Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah said this during a meeting to review arrangements for Eid holidays in the division. The meeting was attended by officials from four districts of Rawalpindi Division including Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum.

Participants of the meeting were informed that a complete lockdown will be imposed during Eid holidays, keeping in view National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) guidelines for Punjab. Eidul Fitr holidays commence from May 8 to May 16.All markets, shopping malls and shops will be closed during this time except essential services including grocery stores, clinics, laboratories and medical stores, vaccination centres, fruit and vegetable shops, chicken and meat shops, bakeries, petrol pumps, food takeaways and so on.

There is a complete ban on chaand raat activities including setting up of henna, jewellery and other decorative stalls. Public transport between provinces and urban areas will also be closed except for private cars, rickshaws and taxis.

Additional trains will run until May 7, 2021 to control the volume of rides. Television channels have been asked to provide entertainment through the Eid transmission during these holidays.Uninterrupted power supply during Eid will also be ensured whereas five check posts will be set up in Rawalpindi during Eid. All administrative officers were asked to be present in the field personally to ensure that all the above orders are being complied with.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2021