Islamabad/Rawalpindi: The capital administration of Pakistan has extended the lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus until May 31, but with a number of new exemptions.

Some shops and businesses are now allowed to open five days a week from 8 am to 5 pm, but must close on Saturday and Sunday. However, larger markets in residential sectors and commercial areas such as Blue Area, Aabpara, Karachi Company, Super Market, Jinnah Super and MelodyMarketwill remain closed.

The capital administration notification, which is available with Dawn, said after advice from the federal government, stores selling steel and PVC pipes, electric appliances, steel and aluminum equipment manufacturers, ceramic and paint industries, sanitary fittings, paints, steel and aluminum works and hardware stores have been opened. All these establishments must adopt the guidelines issued for industrial units and points of sales.

Factories are also allowed to resume operations, but a detailed notification in this regard will be issued separately by the appropriate authorities.

Retail shops other than large shopping malls, I&Tcentres, community markets and small markets in the rural areas may open five days a week subject to the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP).

Parks, hiking trails, golf courses, polo clubs, tennis courts and other such facilities are open but public gatherings are not allowed, and visitors in parks must practice social distancing and wear masks.

Some businesses are exempt from the limitations of operating five days a week and within the aforementioned timings. Grocery stores, general stores,karyana stores, bakeries,atta chakkies, milk and dairy shops, meat, poultry and seafood shops, fruit and vegetable shops and all kinds of mandis - grain, fruit, vegetable and cattle - tandoors and automobile workshops can operate throughout the week from 9 am to 5 pm.

Tyre repair shops, spare parts shops, driver hotels, petrol stations and oil depots and restaurant takeaway and delivery services may run 24/7.

Postal and courier services that offer home pick-ups and deliveries can operate between 9 am and 5 pm all week, and courier services are also permitted inter-city and inter-provincial movement.

The notification said that owners and stakeholders are responsible for ensuring SOPs are implemented and that social distancing and the wearing of masks inside, upon entry and outside their businesses. An outlet will be sealed with fines and criminal proceedings in the event of any violations.

Markazes and large markets to remain shut

The main markazes of all sectors - Blue Area, Aabpara, Karachi Company, Super Market, Jinnah Super Market, Melody, F-10, F-11, I-10 and I-8 - will not open, and neither will the markazes and commercial centres in private and cooperative housing societies.

All educational institutions, restaurants other than takeaway or delivery services, marquees, wedding halls, cinemas, hair and beauty salons, gyms and playing areas in parks will also stay closed, and public processions, congregations of any nature and organised sports events are prohibited.

The administration’s notification said that Tiger Force volunteers are authorised to inspect and report SOP violations to the concerned subdivisional magistrate.

Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat told Dawn that all sorts of shops, including jewellers and property dealers, can open in sector markets, community centres, I&T centres and class three shopping centres.

He said that a limited number of shops, only those selling edibles, will be allowed to open in large markazes and markets.

“At the moment, we cannot allow people to buy clothing and shoes from main markets. We want [shoppers] to be divided between sector markets, and after that some businesses will be opened in the main markets step by step,” he said.

Mr Shafqaat added: “On Sunday, I held a meeting with traders and we are preparing SOPs for the main markets. Hopefully, they will be opened in a few days. We have also been training the Tiger Force to ensure SOPs are implemented.”

Rawalpindi

A person died of Covid-19 in Rawalpindi on Sunday, while 52 people were discharged from hospitals after recovering from the disease and 17 new patients were reported.

A 22-year-old man who lived on Main

Girja Road in Chak Jalal Din was brought to Benazir Bhutto Hospital on Saturdays with symptoms of Covid-19, including difficulty breathing. His condition worsened overnight, and he died Sunday morning.

Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn one person died and 57 people were discharged from hospitals in Rawalpindi division, of which 52 were in Rawalpindi.

Sunday’s new cases were reported from various parts of the district, and Rescue 1122 personnel took patients to the Rawalpindi Institute of Urology and Benazir Bhutto Hospital for treatment.

There have now been at least 1,150 Covid-19 patients reported in Rawalpindi, of which 283 have recovered and 47 have died. At present, 820 patients are being treated in local hospitals and 311 are isolated in their homes.

Another 428 suspected patients remain admitted on the city’s three hospitals, and their samples have been sent to the National Institute of Health and BBH; the results will take three to four days.

District health authority officials said 265 people have tested positive for the disease in the last three days and 880 tested positive.

Local administrations have quarantined 1,833 people who were close contacts of confirmed patients, of which 1,528 are at home, 302 are in hospitals and three are in quarantine centres.

Mr Mehmood told Dawn that the government has allowed small shops to open, but all markets and shopping malls will remain closed. The traders union is responsible for social distancing and sanitising in small shops, which will be closed if these guidelines are not implemented.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2020

https://www.dawn.com/news/1556139/capital-admin-extends-lockdown-till-may-end