Sealing of twin cities' corona-hit localities continues unabated

[caption id="attachment_579731" align="alignnone" width="2560"] A medical staff member walks with a covered face to protect against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the state hospital in Skopje, North Macedonia March 12, 2020. REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski[/caption]

The district administrations of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Saturday continued complete sealing of the localities in which some individuals were tested positive for coronavirus.
The Islamabad and Rawalpindi administrations have completely sealed Bhara Kahu, Shahzad Town and Rimsha Colony, Dhoke Kashmirian, Dhoke Paracha and Magistrate Colony, after dozens of coronavirus cases were reported in the areas.
The screening process for the epidemic in Bhara Kahu, Shahzad Town and Rimsha Colony has been completed. Both the cities wore a deserted look with the closure of markets and public transport.
Only a small number of motorists were seen on the roads. The personnel of police, rangers and army were seen patrolling the roads of the twin cities on Saturday too.
Majority of the shops in the major markets in both the cities including Aabpara, Karachi Company, Peshawar Mor, F-6 and F-7, I-8, G-10 Markaz, Commercial Market, Raja Bazaar, Pindora as well as several other smaller markets remained close.
Shops including medical stores/pharmacies, bakeries, meat, milk and grocery stores remained open. Islamabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hamza Shafqaat through his video message advised people to stay at home and follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) devised in the wake of spread of coronavirus.
"Majority of people who have tested positive for coronavirus have a travel history," he said. The administration also continued raids in various areas against the violators of the SOPs and fined shopkeepers of grocery stores for selling edibles at higher rates.
They also checked availability of masks and sanitizers at medical stores, and preventive measures taken by medical stores, grocery stores, milk, meat, and chicken shops. In both the cities, disinfection drive continued in various areas to control the spread of the virus.
Police conducted random checking of people at different roads and advised them to stay at home, in order to control the spread of the virus. The workers of Rawalpindi Waste Management Centre washed the roads, and streets to save people from coronavirus.
They also cleaned the Coronavirus Isolation Centre set up at Arid Agricultural University. They have also accelerated their ongoing public-awareness campaign on coronavirus for the larger benefit of the residents. Police in both the cities also registered FIRs against prayer leaders for violation of SOPs regarding Friday prayers.
Heavy contingents of police and army personal have been deployed at all entrance and exit points of the twin cities. Citizens visiting from adjoining areas were not allowed to enter Islamabad.
Main arteries of the federal capital including the Islamabad Expressway and the Kashmir Highway were halted for public with deployment of Police and contingents of military and Rangers. Police mobiles are being seen making announcements and pleading citizens to remain inside their homes, and stay away from unnecessary movement on roads and streets.