RAWALPINDI: Three more areas in the garrison city were on Friday locked down till July 24 after the government declared them hotspots for Covid-19.

As many as 52 cases have been reported form these areas - 23 from Dhoke Khabba, 16 from Gulistan Colony and 13 from Range Road, Lane No 4, PIA Colony.

The movement of 84,470 people residing in these areas has been restricted now. The district administration had recommended sealing the areas on Sunday for a week from July 6 to July 13. However, the Punjab government asked the administration to seal the areas for two weeks from July 10.

Soon after receiving the notification from the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, the district administration sealed the areas on Friday.

“We sealed these localities as the number of patients increased from there and the permission was granted by the Punjab government on Friday morning,” Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq told Dawn.

However, he said, there was no plan to seal more areas till July 24. A survey of the union councils has been started to identify new areas with more patients reported in the last four weeks.

He said the number of patients decreased in the city areas after the smart lockdown policy was implemented and it showed good results. He said the number of critical patients had also reduced in the intensive care units of hospitals.

Office goers would be allowed to join their work but the entry of outsiders in the locked down areas is strictly prohibited. The DC said the facilitation centres would established in the localities and there would be no problems for the families in getting basic facilities. A committee, comprising area patwari, union council secretary, prayer leaders, one retired government official and volunteers of Prime Minister’s Tiger Force, would be constituted in each locality.

“Grocery stores, milk shops, pharmacies, fruit and vegetable vendors and tandoors will remain open,” he said.

Vendors/shopkeepers related to aforementioned businesses will be issued permission letters to visit fruit, vegetable and grain markets to ensure uninterrupted supply of the essential items, he added.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2020