ISLAMABAD: The capital administration on Monday decided to ban inter-provincial public transport for two days a week from April 10 to prevent further spread of Covid-19.

Officials said the public transport to and from the capital would be banned on Saturdays and Sundays.

They said despite strict warning and efforts made by the administration, people mostly violated the safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

A large number of people working in the capital from adjacent districts preferred to go to their native towns on Friday evening and return on Sunday night or Monday morning.

The travel of these people for a round trip on a weekly basis may cause further spread of the virus.A notification issued from the office of Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat said as per the decision of NCOC and the epidemiological trend recorded by the Nerve Centre established in the DC office and in order to prevent community spread of the virus, all types of inter-provincial public transport to and from Islamabad shall remain suspended/stopped for two days a week - Saturdays and Sundays.

The ban will not be applicable on goods, freight, medical and other emergency services transport.

The ban will remain effective till midnight April 25-26, it said.

Moreover, the Excise and Taxation Department also took preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus.

An order issued by Director Excise and Taxation Bilal Azam asked leasing companies and banks to send only one nominated or focal person for registration of vehicles.

Besides, only those applicants are being entertained/facilitated for new registration and transfer of ownership at the office having online booking.

641 new cases

As many as 641 new cases were reported in the capital on Monday with the positivity rate of 11.33 per cent.

During the last 24 hours, 5,654 tests were conducted out of which 333 males and 308 females tested positive.

On Sunday, 714 cases were reported from 7,498 tests with 9.52 per cent positivity rate.

The death toll from the virus in the capital reached 583 as nine more people died on Saturday and Sunday, said the officials.

The deceased were in the age group of 50-59, 80-89, 60-69, 70-79 and residents of G-10, G-11, G-7, G-8, Khanna, F-6, F-10 and Chirrah.On Monday, 61 cases were reported from Bhara Kahu, 33 from G-9, 30 from Bahria Town, 30 from DHA, 27 from G-6, 25 each from Tarlai, I-8, I-10, F-10, 21 from F-6, 20 from G-10, 19 from Chak Shahzad, 18 from G-13, 17 from Ghouri Town, 16 each from G-8, G-11, F-8, 15 each from F-11, E-11, 12 each from Soan Garden, G-7, F-7, 10 each from Tramri, PWD, Banigala, nine from Jinnah Garden, eight from Sohan, seven from Khanna, six from Nilore, five each from Sihala, Pakistan Town, Naval Anchorage, Korang Town, E-7, four each from Tarnol, Media Town, I-14, G-15, three each from Phulgran, Madina Town, Iqbal Town, I-9, H-8, and two each from Rawat, Rawal Town, Green Avenue, G-5 and F-17.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2021