BUNER/KHAR: The authorities forcibly closed markets in Buner and Bajaur districts on Sunday after traders failed to pay heed to the announcements regarding market closures in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

Only the medicines and grocery stores were allowed to function in the Buner bazaars.

The traders ignored the announcement made from mosques’ loudspeakers to close down the markets, prompting the law-enforcers to forcibly shut the shops.

It is pertinent to mention here that coronavirus positive cases have reached three in Buner district, while a suspect has also been quarantined in the district headquarters hospital.

The law enforcers have urged the shopkeepers to voluntarily close the shops and the people to stay indoors.

Meanwhile, the Bajaur district administration enforced forced closure of shops after the traders refused to follow the provincial government’s instructions regarding closure of shops for three days to stop spread of coronavirus in the region.

An official of the district administration told Dawn that the provincial government had directed to keep the markets shut from March 22 to 24. He said the district administration had informed the representatives of the traders’ bodies across the district about the government’s decision, but they did not pay heed.

The official said teams led by deputy commissioner Usman Mehsud arrived in the bazaars and ordered the shopkeepers to close their outlets immediately.

The official said owners of several restaurants and trade centres were also arrested after they refused to close down their outlets. He said scores of police personnel had been deployed at the main bazaars across the district to ensure closure of markets for three days.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2020