ISLAMABAD: The capital administration on Wednesday made amendments to restrictions on different activities to prevent further spread of Covid-19.

On the other hand, Rawalpindi reported six deaths while Islamabad saw a slight reduction in positivity rate and coronavirus cases. As many as 460 new patients surfaced in the capital while the positivity rate fell to 8.8pc.

According to a notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner Office, all types of indoor dining has been banned while outdoor dining was permitted till 10pm on weekdays only.

Both indoor and outdoor dining will be prohibited on Fridays and Saturdays, it said, adding that takeaways and home delivery will be allowed.

Ban on indoor gatherings will continue while outdoor gatherings with upper limit of 300 people are allowed subject to strict adherence to Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), the notification said, adding that there will also be complete ban on sports, festivals, cultural and other events.

Amusement parks situated in capital will also remain closed, however, walking and jogging tracks will remain open under strict health guidelines.

Rawalpindi reports six deaths; Islamabad sees slight decrease in cases, positivity rate

All types of marriage and event halls, community centres and marquees will also remain closed and only outdoor marriage functions in open areas will be allowed till 10pm with a maximum limit of 300 guests and of two hours duration, it said.

However, marquees and halls with multiple ventilation windows, open spaces, gaps between walls and rooftops as already communicated by the Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination will be allowed to hold weddings indoor.

Intercity public transport will operate at 50pc of capacity, it said, adding that all commercial activities, establishments and areas will be closed by 10pm on weekdays and will remain completely closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

These restrictions do not apply on essential services, the notification said, adding that the services include pharmacies, medical stores, tyre shops, green grocery, tandoors, atta chakkis, postal/courier services, driver hotels, petrol pumps, oil depots, telecom services, LPG outlets and filling stations, agriculture, machinery workshops and spare part shops, printing press, dry fruit, money changer, call centres with 50pc staff and no public dealing. As per orders of State Bank of Pakistan the banks will operate, it added.

Policy of 50pc work from home will be implemented in the capital with immediate effect while cinemas and shrines will remain closed.

The order will come into force immediately and will remain in force till April 11, the notification said.

Meanwhile, a decline was seen in the number of cases and positivity rate on Wednesday.

District Health Officer Dr Zaeem Zia said 460 patients of Covid-19 were reported on Wednesday compared to 590 on Tuesday.

Likewise, the positivity rate on Tuesday was 10.95pc which fell to 8.8pc on Wednesday, he added.

Rawalpindi

The garrison city saw six deaths from Covid-19 and 131 new infections.

As many as 69 patients recovered from the deadly virus.

Abdul Hameed, 73, a resident of Gujar Khan, was brought to Fauji Foundation Hospital on March 17 where he died on Wednesday.

Zubaida Latif, 82, resident of Chaklala Scheme-III, was shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences on March 22 where she succumbed to the virus on Tuesday night.

Waseem Iqbal, 64, resident of Dhoke Kashmirian, arrived at Max Health Hospital on March 23 but he died on Wednesday.

Riasat Ali, 54, resident of Gulistan Colony, was shifted to Quaid-i-Azam Hospital on March 23 where he died late Wednesday.

Sughra Jan, 87, resident of Kallar Syedan, was brought to Fauji Foundation Hospital on March 23 where she died on Wednesday.

Mohammad Arif, 58, resident of Talimori Chowk, was admitted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences on March 23 but breathed his last late Tuesday night.

A total of 81 patients were reported from the garrison city including 22 from Cantonment, 30 from Potohar Town and 29 from Rawal Town areas.

From other parts of the district, 19 arrived from Gujar Khan, 10 patients from Taxila, four from Murree, two from Kahuta, three from Kallar Syedan, 10 patients from Islamabad and one each from Attock and Haripur.

Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn that 20 patients were on ventilators in Rawalpindi, 72 required oxygen and 101 were stable.

He said 20,650 people had tested positive for Covid-19 since March last year.

He said 17,849 patients have been discharged from hospitals after recovering in the four districts including 14,990 in Rawalpindi (13,026 from district and 1,364 out of district), 1,305 in Attock (1,274 from district and 31 out of district), 1,555 in Jhelum and 599 in Chakwal.

He said 855 people had died in Rawalpindi Division in the last one year with 705 in Rawalpindi, 30 in Attock, 47 in Jhelum and 73 in Chakwal.

Attock

The district health authorities on Wednesday sealed another educational institution in Jand tehsil of Attock district after some of the staff members tested positive for Covid-19.

The Attock district on Wednesday saw 12 more infections raising the tally to 1,467.

District focal person for Covid-19 Kashif Hussain said among the new cases, eight belonged to Attock city while four to Hazro.

He said there were 132 active patients in the district out of which two were under treatment while 130 had been isolated at home.

On the other hand, the tehsil court complex was sealed and under-trial cases adjourned till March 28 after a senior lawyer of Taxila Bar Association succumbed to Covid-19. Four others tested positive.

According to a statement issued by the bar, Hamid Mehmood advocate succumbed to the virus on Wednesday after which the court complex, including lawyers’ chambers, were sealed and public dealing suspended till March 28.— Additional reporting by Amjad Iqbal

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2021