Shutdown: Army to go tough on violators
The army will take stern actions from today if anyone violates the government directive on maintaining social distancing and following home-quarantine rules, in its efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus.
"To assist the local administration, the army will strictly ensure social distancing and home quarantine at all places of the country from tomorrow [today]," said a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) last night.
"Strict actions would be taken against those who would violate the directives given by the government," it added.
The move came following media reports that many are still roaming on streets and alleyways in cities and other urban areas, ignoring the government advice to stay indoors.
On March 23, the government announced closure of all public and private offices from March 26 to April 4 as part of its efforts to contain the spread of novel coronavirus. Yesterday, it extended the closure up to April 11.
From March 24, the army, following a government announcement, started assisting the local administration at divisional cities and district towns in ensuring social distancing and implementing other precautionary measures.
The army, in coordination with district magistrates, would monitor the treatment of corona patients and the quarantine facilities for suspected cases in districts and divisions, the announcement said.
They will also monitor whether any person returning from abroad is neglecting the mandatory self-quarantine rules, it added.
A total of 496 teams of the army took part in various activities with local administration in 62 districts of the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus, according to an ISPR statement issued on Tuesday.
The navy is also assisting the civil administration in coastal areas while the air force was engaged in carrying medical supplies to hospitals and other emergency transportation, said the ISPR.
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