PHC closed as coronavirus infects staff members.

Byline: Waseem Ahmad Shah

PESHAWAR -- The Peshawar High Court on Tuesday announced the closure of its principal seat here until May 31 as some of its staff members tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

However, two single-member benches will hear bail pleas only during the period.

The high court also made it mandatory for all staffers to submit an affidavit saying neither they nor their immediate relatives, including spouse, children, siblings and parents, and neighbours are diagnosed with or suspected of suffering from Covid-19.

According to a notification issued by high court registrar Khawaja Wajihuddin, if employees fail to file the affidavit or those filed are found to be false, disciplinary proceedings shall be initiated against them under the Efficiency and Disciplinary (E and D) Rules.

Though there is no official word on how many staff members are affected by the virus, official sources put the number at 11 and said the confirmed cases mostly worked in the writ, criminal appeal and review first appeal branches.

Two single-member benches to hear bail pleas only until 31st

They said the Covid-19 test results of seven staffers remained 'inconclusive', so they all would undergo test yet again.

The notification said the decision about the court closure was taken by the competent authority (chief justice) in public interest and to protect the judges, officers and staff of the principal seat from coronavirus and that a couple of staff members were diagnosed with the virus recently.

It added that all offices, branches, basic health unit, bar room, Advocate General Block, consultation rooms, bar library, bookshops and service shed of paralegal staff should be closed except for essential staff of general branch, protocol, security, accounts branch and additional registrar (management) offices.

According to the notification, two single-member benches will be functional, while the Institution Branch will handle bail matters only and release the copies of bail-related matters only.

Two principal staff officers will work in rotation. The officers belonging to other districts and women are exempted from duty. However, the additional registrar (administration) will be on duty throughout that period to supervise the disinfection and sanitising of the premises.

The notification said if the affidavit was in affirmative, the staff...