Anyone not wearing a mask in Islamabad can be arrested: Deputy Commissioner.

ISLAMABAD -- Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat on Wednesday announced a warning for the capital's citizens whereby anyone found not wearing a mask in public places "can be arrested by police" under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

A district magistrate notification, shared with the tweet by Shafqaat, stated that in exercise of powers conferred on him under Section 144, he is ordering the use of face mask or cover by the general public while visiting public places in the Islamabad Capital Territory to guard against the spread of coronavirus.

He said that the order comes into effect immediately and will remain in force for a period of two months.

It comes on the back of advice by epidemiologists of the Covid Nerve Centre and aims to prevent community spread.

"Given the rising positivity of COVID-19 cases it becomes essential that the general...