Peshawar   -   Several more areas of Peshawar came under smart lockdown on Thursday owing to the increasing number of coronavirus infection. 

The district administration took the decision after consultations with the Health Department to check the spread of the virus transmission. During the smart lockdown, the entry and exit of certain localities in the metropolis would be limited and only shops of essential items like food, medicines etc would remain open. 

The lockdown came into effect from 06pm on Thursday till further orders. In these areas all kinds of gatherings will be prohibited. Congregation in masajid shall be restricted to five persons only. 

The new areas under smart lockdown in Peshawar include: Street No. 11, Shami Road, Peshawar Cantt, Street No. 1 & 12, Defence Colony, Peshawar Cantt, Street No. 21, Sector D-4, Phase-I, Hayatabad, Street No. 2, Sector J-4, Phase-II, Hayatabad, Street No. 2, Sector J-2, Phase-II, Hayatabad, Street No. 4, Sector K-1, Phase-III, Hayatabad, Street No. 2, Sector K-1, Phase-III, Hayatabad, Street No. 11, Sector-P-2, Phase-IV, Hayatabad, Street No. 5, Sector F-3, Phase-VI, Hayatabad, Street No.15 Sector F-9, Phase-VI, Hayatabad, Street No. 24, Sector F-10, Phase-VI, Hayatabad, Street No. 03, Sector D, Al-Haram Model Town, Hayatabad, Street A, Kabapyan area, Warsak Road, Block 06-1-3, Park View Apartment, Canal Road, Warsak Road, Street No. 1, Doctor Colony, Darmangi Garden, Warsak Road, Street No. 13, Officers Garden Colony, Warsak Road, Street No. 5, Ashrafia Colony, Faqirabad, and Street No. 2, Old Shami Road, Jehangirabad, Tehkal Bala. 

The district administration said anyone violating directions would render himself liable to be proceeded against under Sections 17 and 18 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Epidemic Control & Emergency Relief Act 2020, and/or Section 33. 

Meanwhile, the district administration on Thursday arrested 24 shopkeepers during crackdown against the violators of the standard operating procedures (SOPs). 

A statement from the Deputy Commissioner said 24 shopkeepers were arrested from different markets for not wearing face-masks. It said that action would continue to ensure the citizens and shopkeepers start following precautionary measures. The traders were also requested to help the government in curtailing the spread of the virus in the metropolis.