Shopkeepers, customers violate SOPs as businesses reopen.

Byline: Ali Hazrat Bacha

PESHAWAR -- Both shopkeepers and customers blatantly violated the standard operating procedures issued by the government to stem the spread of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in Peshawar on Monday as the businesses reopened after a closure of 50 days.

The customers mostly women along with minor children flooded bazaars and markets without wearing face masks or following others safety guidelines.

The provincial government had declared the use of face masks mandatory for the people stepping out of home.

'What I saw today was the beginning of a nightmare called the pandemic in every sense of the word. No social distancing, no masks and zero enforcement. We don't seem to realise what this pandemic means. We may soon see the same multitude thrivingbazaars, flooding hospitals if this madness continues,' said Wazirzada, a bookseller in the main Peshawar city.

133 held in Peshawar for violating guidelines

Long queues of vehicles were seen in different areas due to traffic jams. Vehicles moved at a snail's pace in other areas.

'The situation is chaotic as people didn't adopt safety measures, whereas shopkeepers rarely followed SOPs,' resident Mohammad Amin said, adding that the situation was the worst at around 4pm, the official closing time for almost all businesses.

The district administration detained 133 people, including shopkeepers, on charges of violating lockdown guidelines.

A statement said deputy commissioner Mohammad Ali Asghar asked traders to follow SOPs for own and customers' protection from coronavirus.

In some areas, including University Road, Bara Road and Qissa Khwani, the traders opened shops on Saturday in violation of the government's decision.

However, the business community began activities in the markets of other areas, including Peshawar Saddar's. The bazaars, especially those located in narrow streets, attracted customers in large numbers.

According to the provincial government's decision,all businesses will be closed by 4pm.

A notification of the relief, rehabilitation and settlement department said all businesses would remain closed across the province on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Though office-bearers of the trader bodies, while repeatedly requesting the government to open bazaars, had promised to enforce the social distancing protocols strictly in all markets, the promise wasn't kept by and large.

The business activities had begun secretly since the advent of Ramazan a few weeks ago. The...