DLP REPORT
ISLAMABAD
The government on Wednesday sealed the parliament house in Islamabad after at least 30 employees of the two houses, the national assembly and senate, were tested positive for Covid-19.
The building will remain shut until Nov 9, officials said. They said that even after reopening of the parliament house complex, only a selected staff will be allowed to resume work.
During last week’s sittings of the two houses, people, including lawmakers and permanent staffers, were seen blatantly violating the standard operation procedures (SOPs) set by the government to prevent the spread of the global disease.
According to officials, a monitoring system — comprising closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras — would now be installed in the parliament house and special staff members would be deployed to ensure the strict implementation of the SOPs.
This is the second time that the parliament house has been sealed.
The coronavirus cases have been surging again in Pakistan with over 1,300 new cases reported on Wednesday, the highest single-day number since July 30.
With the new infections, the nationwide Covid-19 tally jumped to 337,573, while 18 more people have died from the virus in the last 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 6,867. Some 316,060 infected people have so far recovered.
Pakistan has recorded over 4,500 fresh cases in the last four days alone, prompting the government to reimpose its “smart” lockdown, mainly in 30 big cities, and make wearing of masks mandatory in public places.
Authorities also announced the shutting of all parks and entertainment venues by 6:00 pm local time and markets, shopping centers, restaurants, and banquet halls by 10:00 pm across the country.
