Raids to impose SOPs become common sight in markets

Islamabad : The raids by the local officials have now become a common sight in markets and bazaars where they not only impose fines but also arrest some of the people who are found not wearing face masks in violation of directives issued by the government.

The local traders and shopkeepers stated that at least a ‘fear factor' is now prevailing because whenever visitors see policemen or government officials they start bringing out face masks from their pockets and wearing them to avoid action.

According to the details, the officials of the Islamabad District Administration were seen in the markets and bazaars distributing face masks and urging people to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease.

Saleem Binori, a shopkeeper at Aabpara Market, said “It is good to see that the government officials are regularly visiting this market and educating people about the benefits of using face masks.”

“It is not possible to either arrest or impose fines on a huge number of people so it is the right way to educate them. Now it is the responsibility of the people to respond sensibly in these hard times,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat has already issued a warning for the residents of Islamabad whereby anyone found not wearing a face mask in public places ‘can be arrested by police’ under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).