Dera Ismail Khan observes partial lockdown

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The partial lockdown across the Dera Ismail Khan district and adjoining merged tribal districts continued on the third consecutive day on Tuesday to deal with the coronavirus (Covid-19).

The district administration had imposed Section 144 banning all kinds of gatherings, congregations, as well as restricting social activities for the safety of the people.

The district headquarters was closed down for intra-district traffic at the five exit and entry points of Dera Ismail Khan. The pillion riding, unnecessary movement by the masses as well as riding motor-bike without a helmet was banned. The markets and busy commercial areas across city and its adjoining towns were giving a deserted look.

Only the drugstores, clinical lab services, bakeries, grocery shops, restaurants with packed food service and health clinics remained open.

This scribe observed that still most of the people were unaware of the severity of the issue.

Meanwhile, a senior office-bearer Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Young Doctors Association Dr Ali Raza flayed the Health Department for allegedly not providing doctors and other medical staff with protective equipment to encounter patients infected with the coronavirus.

Dera Ismail Khan turned into focal point since the authorities established a spacious quarantine centre at Mufti Mahmood Teaching Hospital on the outskirts of the city.

The area is close to the road used by the travellers/”Zaireen” coming from Iran via neighbouring Balochistan province.

Some social circles of the area complained that the Health Department had not taken necessary steps for the safety of several villages and localities which located near the quarantine facility as they were vulnerable to the deadly virus.