ISLAMABAD: Three people in Rawalpindi district and one in Islamabad lost their battle against Covid-19 on Tuesday whereas 352 cases were reported in both the cities.

The positivity rate in Islamabad was 7.1pc and 38 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery during the last 24 hours.

Officials of the capital administration said the death of a man in his 60s was reported from Tarlai.

As many as 3,492 tests were conducted in the capital and out of the total 128 men and 123 women tested positive.

Meanwhile, in compliance with the decisions of National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the capital administration has imposed a ban on several activities, besides, issuing new timings for commercial and private activities to prevent further spread of Covid-19.

According to a notification issued from the office of Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat, all markets in Islamabad will remain open till 8pm only with exemptions given to essential services including pharmacies and medical stores, medical facilities and vaccination centres, petrol pumps, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, general stores, bakeries, poultry and meat shops, fruit, vegetable, dry fruit shops, opticians, LPG shops, auto workshops, food takeaways and home delivery from restaurants and so on.

Indoor gathering including cultural, musical, religious, miscellaneous events in Islamabad have been banned, the notification said, adding however, outdoor gatherings with a maximum limit of 400 individuals shall be allowed under strict Covid-19 protocols.

Outdoor dining will be allowed at restaurants till 10pm but there is a complete ban on indoor dining whereas takeaway service will be offered 24/7.

Public parks will remain open while amusement parks, swimming pools and water sports will be closed, the notification said, adding that there will be complete closure of all cinemas and shrines in Islamabad and sports like boxing, karate, martial arts, rugby, water polo and so on will not be allowed.

All types of inter-city and intra-city public transport shall operate with 50pc of the total capacity. All gyms, indoor courts (tennis, badminton, squash etc.) will be allowed to open for vaccinated individuals and members.

Citizens have been urged to wear face masks in public places. Furthermore, Saturday and Sunday will be closed days in Islamabad, the notification said, adding industrial and agricultural activities and establishments will remain exempt from operation of this order.

The order will come into force with effect from Aug 3 within the jurisdiction of Islamabad and will remain in force till Aug 31.

In Pindi, Sharaf Khatoon, 67, resident of Abid Majid Road, was brought to Fauji Foundation Hospital on July 14 where she died on Aug 3.

Qazi Mohammad Asad, 74, resident of Waris Khan, was shifted to Rawalpindi Institute of Urology (RIU) on July 31 where she died on Aug 3 and Rafiqa Bibi, 60, resident of Gujar Khan was shifted to Holy Family Hospital (HFH) on Aug 2 where she died on Tuesday.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2021