Several areas in Sector I-8 and I-10 have been sealed in Islamabad since June 18
A number of areas in Islamabad have been sealed due to the rising number of coronavirus cases with law enforcement contingents entering the federal capital in large numbers to enforce the orders. The contingents included police, army and paramilitary forces.
The law enforcement agencies including police and paramilitary forces have been deployed at the exit and entry points of these areas to ensure strict surveillance, officials said.
Following areas have been sealed since June 18 until further notice after a surge in cases:
- I-8/3
- I-8/4
- I-10/2
- I-10
- I-8 Markaz
- I-10 Markaz
Essential commodities’ shops including medical and grocery stores would remain open in these areas however no one would be allowed to enter from outside.
Other areas including Ghouri Town, Loi Bhir and G-10 will also likely be sealed in coming days.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat said that the previously targeted lockdowns helped with a significantly lesser number of cases reported in those areas.
Earlier, G-6, I-10/1, I-10/4, G-9/3 and G-9/4 and G-9 Markaz (Karachi Company) were sealed. “We received encouraging upshots of imposing lockdown in G-9 and Karachi Company as at initial stages, we obtained over 100 positive cases of COVID-19 in one day,” said DC Islamabad.
Mr. Shafqaat also pointed out that the administration will look into the results of the lockdown and decide their next move. After the surveillance period is over, the administration would assess if it is safe to ease the lockdown or continue monitoring the areas, DC said.
Typically 3,000 thousand tests are being conducted in Islamabad every day. So far, about 10,000 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the federal capital. 95 people have died while 2,770 have recovered entirely.
Rawalpindi administration also has pinpointed 21 hotspots that will be monitored or sealed under the smart lockdown. 300 policemen will perform the duties to ensure that the restrictions are implemented upon.
The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) has identified at least 20 cities across Pakistan that are COVID-19 hotspots or clusters using a strategy termed as ‘testing, tracing and quarantining (TTQ)’.