Rawalpindi: The district administration on Sunday sealed as many as 55 shops and markets in the locales of Saddar and Raja Bazaars (among others) for standard operating procedure (SOPs) violations; with the regulations having been introduced to prevent further coronavirus spread, according to news sources.
The local authorities conducted an operation, during which they shut down fabric, clothing and shoe stores in the above mentioned areas, along with Ghousia Chowk, Iqbal Road, Saddar, Sadiqabad, and Fawara Chowk.
Commissioner Captain (retd) Mohammad Mehmood said in a press briefing that special teams had been constituted to look out for any SOPs violations in the four districts that fall under the Rawalpindi division. He revealed that these teams had sealed markets and shops based on their non-adherence to precautionary guidelines.
Moreover, Commissioner Mehmood said that the Punjab government had issued clear directions to enable small traders to resume operations during the pandemic. However, he added that the traders had been warned of legal consequences if they were found violating the government-issued guidelines to fight the coronavirus spread.
The commissioner was referring to the Punjab government’s earlier decision to allow shops to become operational from Monday to Thursday, between 8 am and 5 pm.
During the press briefing, the Commissioner Mehmood also took the opportunity to further reiterate that people were responsible for ensuring their own safety and that of their families. He added that as a result, they should cover their hands and mouths in public, and practice social distancing at all times.
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