The crackdown against violators of standard operation procedures (SOPs) devised by the government to contain coronavirus spread in the country continued on Saturday, with thousands of individuals, industrial units, transport vehicles, shops and markets fined over violation of safety guidelines.
Thirty people were fined by the Islamabad administration for not wearing masks in public. City’s assistant commissioner visited shops to ensure that SOPs are being followed. Eighty-three markets and 22 warehouses were sealed in Islamabad over violations. Rawalpindi assistant commissioner also visited various shops in city to review the implementation of lockdown and SOPs. At least 10 persons were arrested over violation of SOPs and a fine of Rs 95,000 was imposed. The assistant commissioner also apprised the shopkeepers to maintain social distancing.
All markets, bazaars and shopping malls remained closed in Lahore on Saturday, after the provincial government announced a two-day lockdown. Fruit and vegetable shops, dairy shops and bakeries were, however, open in the city.
The government of Sindh arrested 80 drivers and fines of a total of 77,300 were imposed on 91 passenger vehicles for violations of SOPs issued by the provincial government. The administration took strict action against intra-city transporters in Karachi, Hyderabad, Shikarpur, Badin, Sukkur, Larkana and other districts of the province. Sindh Transport Minister Awais Shah said cases have been registered against 21 drivers while 32 passenger vans, busses, coaches and taxies have been impounded by police and shifted to respective police stations. The minister also issued show-cause notices to six regional secretaries for not exhibiting satisfactory performance. According to SOPs, transporters are not allowed to accommodate more passengers than the seating capacity of the bus and wearing masks is compulsory.
