Zubair Qureshi
The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has decided to unlock all the parks and trails of the federal capital that were earlier closed due to Covid-19 pandemic.
In a notification issued here on Monday, it has been announced though parks and trails are being opened with immediate effect, yet the sports grounds will remain closed. “The permission, however is subject to adherence to the SOPs issued by time to time including the social distancing guidelines of the exercise, walk, etc,” says the notification.
The Environment Directorate of the Metropolitan Corporation is responsible for implementing these SOPs and guidelines, the notification further says.
The residents of the federal capital have expressed their joy at the decision while the Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat has made it clear “No gathering is allowed” in these parks and trails.
The DC said an advisory has been issued to all Media Houses for taking steps to protect their workers who are performing their duties in hazardous conditions yet profoundly neglected.
They must be provided with appropriate protection gears. We have provided some support to the reporters but more is required, added the DC.
Meanwhile, while talking to Pakistan Observer here Monday, Director of CDA Health Directorate Dr Hasan Orooj advised the residents to stay in home as long as possible and avoid going out as coronavirus situation is getting worse. So far, 115 positive cases of Covid-19 have been reported from Islamabad with around 5 deaths.
All these carriers of coronavirus have been restricted to home quarantine, he said while their 292 contacts are also in contact with the health authorities and have been advised to voluntarily home-quarantine themselves. To a question, he said during the last 24 hours, four cases are tested positive in Islamabad’s urban areas.
