Swat - The fully crowded markets of Mingora city have not only made social distancing ineffective but also likely to create trouble as the people rarely bother to follow corona Sops. 

Swat is under severe grip of corona and according to Dr Najeeb, spokesperson of Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital, 4 more corona patients died on Tuesday taking the death toll to 244 while another 111 patients were tested positive in the district. Corona SOPs were violated at a wide range at different localities of Mingora city. The KP Chief Minister’s native district administration had completely failed to implement the government’s guidelines in the area. The crowded markets and shops and most popular shopping areas including Qambar Shopping City Centre, Cheena Market, Matta Bazar, Khuwaza Khela, Nishat Chowk, Sabzi Mandi, Green Chowk, Haji Baba Chowk, and other areas were found with zero social distancing and following of COVID-19 Sops.

People in large numbers were seen in different restaurants and tea stalls where youngsters till late night enjoy tea while no corona protocols were being followed in the mentioned areas.

Besides, traders and shoppers had also failed to follow the safety protocols during Eid shopping. No market has ben sealed in the city for blatant violations of COVID-19 guidelines introduced by the government. The congested and narrow alleys in the markets were found fully packed with women and kids. No corona SOPs were being followed by visitors. Only few people were seen wearing masks during the Eid shopping. 

Meanwhile, majority of the masajid in the district also witnessed huge number of worshipers who did not bother to follow the SOPs.

While talking to this correspondent, a senior citizen Ahmed Nabi said that the government had fixed SOPs but their implementation was the district administration’s job, but unfortunately they have completely failed.