-Violators may face up to Rs3,000 fine, prison
By Minahil Makhdoom
ISLAMABAD: Wearing face masks have been made mandatory in all public places in Islamabad to combat ongoing spread of deadly coronavirus. In a tweet, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat said anyone who is seen without a face mask will be prosecuted under Section 144 and charged with Section 188 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). A notification has also been issued in this regard.
The government has declared wearing of masks mandatory at public places, markets and in public transport to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafaat in a tweet on Sunday said wearing masks or covering face at all public places in Islamabad has been declared compulsory. He said the civil administration will visit markets, mosques, bus stops, offices and streets to check whether or nor people follow the government-prescribed guidelines, wearing masks in particular. Warning people against failure to wear masks when stepping out, the deputy commissioner said a judicial magistrate can levy a fine of up to Rs3,000 or send a violator to prison under Section 188 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
Earlier, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza said wearing masks is now mandatory at crowded public places and in public transport. Taking to Twitter, he said: “Face masks are now mandatory to be worn by everybody while in crowded public places, mosques, bazaars, shopping malls, public transport ie road, rail and flights.†“We have reviewed our guidelines for wearing masks and have added a mandatory section.â€
The decision was taken after Pakistan confirmed 88 more deaths from novel coronavirus in one day as the nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 1,483 and positive cases surged to 69,496. According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 3,039 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 in 24 hours. Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Till now 27,360 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 25,056 in Punjab, 9,540 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 4,193 in Balochistan, 2,418 in Islamabad, 678 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 251 in Azad Kashmir.
