Countering COVID-19 through smart lockdown, a way forward.

PESHAWAR -- The massive surge in coronavirus cases in Pakistan where 157,738 cases including 19,613 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) reported till date have forced the Government to launch smart lockdowns in COVID-19 hotspot areas to counter spread of the viral infection.

Following the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the KP Government has started smart lockdowns in high risk areas of Peshawar, Khyber, Lower Dir, Chitral, Haripur, Mansehra, Mardan, Swabi, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Hangu, Nowshera, Orakzai, Bajaur and Malakand to protect people from stings of coronavirus.

Peshawar where 375 deaths occured out of total 755 demises in KP due to coronavirus till June 18, have necessitated to put virus prone areas of Interior Aasia Gate, Kohat Road, Ramadas bazaar, Circular Road, Bairsako, Sardshah Gate, Namak Mandai, Dabgari Road, Ring Road, Joye Sheikh Kanal, Union Council Aasia, Shinwari Town, Malik Tariq Road, Sector F-3 Phase VI Hayatabad, Gulbahar No IV and Koi Hasankhel under smart lockdown.

Latifur Rehman, Spokesman of the Relief and Resettlement Department KP told reporter that smart lockdowns have been enforced in COVID-19 hotspots and cluster areas in KP including Peshawar that would continue for 14 days under strict security arrangements of police and district administration. "The lockdowns could be extended if God forbid the situation got worse," he explained.

The spokesman said, "except shops of edible items, medicine, general stores, tandoors and emergency services, all other business units would remain closed and only five persons would be allowed for prayers in mosques in these selected areas," he said.

The spokesman said directives were issued to areas magistrates and police authorities for strict implementation of the lockdown and taking strict action against violators under the relevant laws without political affiliations.

National Disasters Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman, Lt. Gen. Muhammad Afzal along with Chief Secretary KP, Dr Kazim Niaz, Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Muhammed Ali Asghar and SSP Operations visited smart lockdowns areas in Peshawar on June 16 where they inspected security, food and other arrangments.

Several high risk zones in Mardan district where the country's first death was reported due to coronavirus at village Manga in March last were sealed and movement of people was restricted.

The Deputy Comissioner Mardan office spokesman said smart lockdowns have been enforced at Bejligar near Dosra chowk...