PESHAWAR: The administration on Monday imposed movement restrictions in four areas of the provincial capital due to the increasing transmission of coronavirus (Covid-19).

The deputy commissioner issued a notification ordering the controlled exit from and entry to Ashrafia Colony, parts of University Town, Danishabad and Sector E-2 in Hayatabad Phase-I with an immediate effect untilfurther orders.

The notification said Ashrafia Colony bounded by Eidgah Road, Charsadda bus station and Afghan Colony Road, University Town`s areas bounded by Chinar, Park and Sawfat Ghayur roads, Danishabad and Sector E-2 in Phase I Hayatabad would beoff-limits to the people except for suppliers of essential goods.

It added that gatherings of all kinds had been strictly prohibited in those areas.

`All shops other than those of essential services, including pharmacies, general stores, food supplies, tandoors, drinking water supplies and emergency will remain closed within these localities. Congregation in mosques will be restricted to five people only,` it said.

The notification said restriction violators would be dealt under sections 17 and 18 of KP Epidemic Control and Emergency Relief Ordinance, 2020, and National Disaster Management Authority Act, 2010.

Earlier, the provincial task force on coronavirus approved a smart lockdown for Covid-19 hotspots to contain massive outbreak of the virus. Chief Minister Mahmood Khan chaired the meeting.

A statement issued here said the proposed strategy would be presented in the next meeting of the provincial cabinet for approval to stamp political ownership of the decision.

The meeting was attended by health min-ister Taimur Saleem Jhagra, adviser to the chief minister Ajmal Wazir, chief secretary Dr Kazim Niaz and provincial police chief Dr Sanaullah Abbasi and other officials.

The participants expressed concern about the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the province and agreed on the fining of the people not using face masks in public.

The meeting reviewed Covid-19 situation in the province with a focus on the implementation of the standard operating procedures issued by the government to ease lockdown.

The participants expressed concern on the violation of SOPs in some areas and decided that the administrations should ensure their strict implementation.

They also examined progress on the capacity building of the government teaching hospitals in the province to effectively deal with Covid-19.

The meeting decided that a need assessment of the district headquarters hospitals (DHQs) should be carried out, while a feasible plan should be developed to enhance their capacity in terms of Covid-19 cases.

The meeting was informed that 3,500 tests were being conducted per day andefforts were under way to increase the number to 5,000.

The forum called for the maximum utilisation of testing labs and involvement of more private sector entities to increase the testing capacity.

Officials said there was no shortage of oxygen cylinders for Covid-19 patients in the province but some people were reportedly involved in their hoarding. The meeting decided that action would be taken against such people under the anti-hoarding ordinance.

On the occasion, the chief minister directed the relevant authorities to devise a workable plan within 10 days to enhance the capacity of all DHQ hospitals to minimise the burden of Covid-19 patients on teaching hospitals.

He also ordered the strengthening of teaching hospitals in terms of budgetary support to enable them to ensure the availability of oxygen on their own.

The chief minister asked the health department to take emergency measures to ensure the availability of trained human resource for operating ventilators in hospitals.