ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: The capital administration on Saturday decided to continue the lockdown for another two weeks while the Rawalpindi divisional administration planned a ‘smart’ lockdown from Monday.
During the last 72 hours, 29 confirmed cases were reported in the federal capital while no patient was reported recovered, officials said.
As many as 10 new positive cases were reported from G-13, G-10, G-6, G-7, F-5, F-6, I-8 and I-10 on Friday, raising the tally of the affected people to 214 in the capital.
Out of the total confirmed cases, 13 have been kept in hospitals and 12 at quarantine centres while the others were isolated at their houses. So far, 26 confirmed patients have recovered.
Rawalpindi Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood said under the ‘smart’ lockdown markets in areas from where Covid-19 patients had been reported would remain closed.
Rawalpindi divisional administration plans ‘smart’ lockdownfrom Monday
In this regard, directions have been issued to the district administrations of Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal to prepare their plans.
The federal capital was locked down on March 24 for 15 days and later it was extended to April 14. However, during the lockdown, restrictions on several activities were lifted.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat confirmed to Dawn that the lockdown had further been extended to May 9.
The Rawalpindi commissioner said traders in the safe areas would get permission to open their outlets with standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Punjab government.
The commissioner said he along with the regional police officer (RPO) would visit the four districts to inspect the arrangements and the Ramazan security.
“In coming two days, the administration will finalise a report after analysing the data of patients reported from the Rawalpindi division. It is a very tricky issue and we don’t want to put the lives of people in danger,” he said.
The commissioner said to ensure the supply of food items, special standard operating procedures had been devised for traders and well as factories. This will also ensure availability of edibles during Ramazan.
Joint healthcare initiative
The capital administration launched a joint venture with doctors to provide medical assistance at the doorsteps of the citizens as outpatient departments of hospitals remain closed due to the lockdown for about a month, said the DC.
He said the capital administration launched the joint venture with Hello Doctor through which the residents can get services of best doctors and consultants.
Citizens would have to install the Hello Doctor app on their phones and get the services of best qualified and PMDC certified doctors and consultants free of cost during the lockdown, he said.
The residents can also get free of cost prescription from them besides getting advice on prognosis and diagnosis of any disease.
The initiative will benefit many residents to get proper healthcare during the lockdown and closure of the OPDs, he said. Besides, it will also reduce the panic, created among the people about health issues.
Hello Doctor is an online healthcare facility that provides accessible and affordable services.
Meanwhile, prayers and Taraveeh congregations have been allowed in mosques and imambargahs keeping in view the announcement made after consultation between President Dr Arif Alvi and Ulema. Officials said the local administration and police will monitor the congregations and precautions issued for the safety of the people.
The government will reconsider the policy over allowing prayers congregations at mosques and imambargahs if SOPs are violated or the virus spreads alarmingly, they added.
Under the SOP, people aged above 50 years, minors and those who have symptoms of flue are not allowed to go to mosques and imambargahs to attend the congregations, they added.
Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2020