Zubair Qureshi
After restrictions eased across the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in view of the decline in cases, Islamabad administration too, eased them and announced there would be one-day (Sunday) lockdown in the city instead of the two.
The capital administration in pursuance of decisions taken in the National Command and Operation Centre meeting issued new Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions.
The district administration has also lifted a ban on indoor dining and inter-city transport after Chairman of the National Command & Operation Centre announced a day earlier. .
Islamabad on Thursday reported one death and 256 new Covid-19 cases in the last twenty-four hours taking the overall tally of cases to 103,549 and toll 893.
According to the District Health Officer Dr Zaeem Zia 5,135 tests were conducted in the capital in the last 24 hours.
According to new measures, closing time for businesses has been extended till 10pm from 8pm and 100pc attendance in offices has been allowed.
A notification issued from the office of Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat, said Sunday would be observed as lockdown day in the capital.
All activities will remain closed on Sunday other than essential services including pharmacies, medical facilities and vaccination centres, petrol pumps, tandoors, milk, dairy shops, grocery stores, bakeries, poultry, meat shops, fruit, vegetable and dry fruit shops and so on. Earlier, there were two lockdown days – Saturday and Sunday – in the capital.
The notification added that indoor dining has been allowed in restaurants till 11:59pm with maximum 50pc occupancy for vaccinated individuals only.
The timings for outdoor dining have been extended till 11:59pm from 10:00pm and takeaways will be allowed 24/7.
Amusement and public parks, swimming pools and water sports have been opened for vaccinated individuals with 50pc occupancy, the notification stated adding shrines have also been opened for vaccinated people.
All public, private offices and establishments in the capital have been allowed to operate with 100pc attendance.
Moreover, inter-city and intra-city public transport will be allowed to operate with 50pc of the total capacity, however the ban on serving food items to passengers will remain in place.
All gyms, indoor courts (tennis, badminton, squash etc.,) in Islamabad will be allowed to open only for vaccinated people and members, it said, adding that owners of gyms and indoor courts will be responsible for vaccination of staff and management and for ensuring strict Covid-19 protocols.
