Upper Dir people not observing social distancing

DIR: People in Upper Dir district are not observing social distancing and hold meetings, which can create trouble amid the ongoing virus epidemic. Many are seen wandering in streets, bazaars and markets across the district, instead of following authorities’ instructions to protect themselves and others through social distancing. People in towns including Dir, Bibyawar, Darora, Sheringal, Wari, Akhagram, and others are also not following instructions of the government to stay home as much as possible and they are spending time outside their homes without any reasons. In this regard, the police and Levies personnel have also ignored their duty of ensuring social distancing. They are not even trying to separate them and ask them to keep a proper distance at banks, markets and bazaars. Upper Dir has so far reported only two positive cases of the pandemic and those patients had returned from Umrah, otherwise the situation is not yet alarming in the district. However, people were not forced to observe social distancing, the situation could get bad in the region. Several elders from the district have demanded the district administration to take serious steps on the issue and ensure social distancing and dispersing crowds in markets.