MINGORA: Owing to increasing number of Covid-19 cases smart lockdown was imposed in certain areas of various districts on Tuesday.

In Swat, the district administration sealed 11 union councils after imposing smart lockdown in view of the increasing number of cases.

The step was taken after the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) issued a list of about 20 cities declared as the worst-hit by coronavirus, including Swat.

“We have sealed all those areas in the 11 union councils which have been badly affected by coronavirus. These areas have developed clusters and become hotspots for coronavirus, where a high number of Covid-19 cases has been reported. Proper SOPs have been devised for these areas, and entry of exit of people has been stopped,” said assistant commissioner, Babuzai, Amir Ali Shah, who got sealed Chail Shaghai area in Saidu Sharif union council.

Violators of restrictions warned of strict action

The administration put about 20 areas under smart lockdown in the said union councils. These areas would be properly guarded by policemen.

In Khyber, the district administration put three localities under smart lockdown after receipt of complaints about rapid local transmission of coronavirus.

Deputy commissioner Mehmud Aslam Wazir issued a notification of locking down Bar Qambar Khel in Bara, Teddi Bazaar in Jamrud and Zargaran station localities with immediate effect.

The administration imposed restrictions on the mobility of residents, except those supplying essential commodities.

The notification said all shops other than those of essential services would remain closed. It warned of action against those found violating the lockdown for at least two weeks.

In Lower Dir, the district administration on Tuesday ordered to lock down some villages till June 15 due to presence of active Covid-19 cases.

The villages of Narai Shah, Malakabad, Qaziabad, Dag Gosum and Kandao Mian Kallay have been declared quarantined in order to contain further spread of the virus.

Police and health department’s heads have been asked to deploy sufficient number of cops in the quarantined villages and mohallahs.

The administration has also directed the TMAs and Rescue 1122 to ensure disinfectant sprays in those villages.

Deputy commissioner Saadat Hassan said the areas where Covid-19 cases were reported routinely would be locked down for at least 14 days.

In Shangla, the district administration has imposed smart lockdown in three village councils where Covid-19 cases have been reported.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by deputy commissioner Imran Hussain Ranjha.

The participants agreed that the smart lockdown of selected areas was crucial to arrest the spread of virus transmission to other areas.

In Abbottabad, the deputy commissioner imposed smart lockdown in six localities to arrest spread of coronavirus cases.

According to a notification, in pursuance of government’s policy of smart lockdown in order to further prevent the spread and circulation of Covid-19, six areas would remain under lockdown till further orders.

In Mansehra, the district administration announced to seal various localities wherefrom an overwhelming number of Covid-19 cases have been reported.

“We have decided to impose smart lockdown in various such localities of Mansehra, Balakot and Oghi tehsils where incidence of Covid-19 cases is much higher compared to rest of the district,” deputy commissioner Aurangzeb Haider Khan said in a notification.

In Nowshera, the administration locked down three places due to increasing cases of coronavirus.

Official sources said the local administration had imposed smart lockdown to stop increasing trend of coronavirus cases.

In Haripur, the administration on Tuesday decided to impose smart lockdown in four localities of the city following a sudden surge in coronavirus cases for seven days. According to a notification issued from the office of deputy commissioner, police deployment in these localities was being made to restrict movement of people during the smart lockdown period.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2020