ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has exempted its employees and litigants from marking their attendance through biometric system as about 50 IHC staffers have tested Covid-19 positive since Eidul Azha.

The officials found infected belonged to various departments, with some posted to courtrooms where they interacted with the judges and public.

After some staffers were found infected, the IHC administration asked the National Institute of Health (NIH) to get all of its employees tested.

Sources in the IHC said the employees had also been asked to attend their respective departments on alternate days to maintain around 50pc strength.

Sources said due to rise in cases, the court might adopt policy of hearing cases related to enforcement of fundamental rights, bail matters and urgent in nature.

Meanwhile, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) Chairman Tariq Malik on Saturday took notice of Covid-19 SOPs violations at the authority’s offices.

According to a statement, the chairman issued orders making disinfectant spray mandatory at all Nadra centres across the country.

He also directed all staff and visitors to adopt precautionary measures, including maintaining social distancing inside and outside the centres.

The applicant and their verifiers will not be allowed to enter the centres without masks, he said, adding that besides they should also sanitise their hands.

He further asked them to use queue separators to maintain and ensure social distancing.

After every registration process at the centres, the thumb impression machine should also be sanitised, Mr Malik added.

The Nadra chairmanrequested the visitors to get their Covid-19 vaccination certificates online from home or nearby Nadra e-service centres and avoid crowding in Nadra offices.

All possible steps for immediate issuance of vaccination certificates have been taken, Mr Malik said, adding that 688 offices along with 5,900 e-service centres and 250 mobile registration vehicles across the country have been assigned to issue certificates.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) declared Covid-19 vaccination certificate mandatory while visiting traffic offices to acquire driving licences.

SSP (Traffic) Syed Karrar Hussain urged people to follow coronavirus-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) and get vaccinated against the virus.

The use of mask is also made compulsory during visit to traffic office, he said, urging visitors to use sanitisers.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2021