Islamabad: Authorities seal 11 courts after staff, judges test positive for COVID-19

Authorities in Islamabad on Friday have sealed 11 courts after several judges and staff test positive for COVID-19.

According to the Islamabad Bar Association Secretary Nabil Tahir Mira, there are 70 courts working under the District and Sessions Court of which 11 have been sealed after 12 judges and staff tested positive for coronavirus.

Read More: Section 144 is imposed in Islamabad, anyone not wearing a mask will be arrested

He informed that the sealed courts include three courts of additional and sessions judge, the court of a senior civil judge, and seven courts of civil judges.

“A few lawyers have also tested positive for COVID-19,” he added.

Notice in this regard was issued by the bar association on Thursday, stating that the situation has become dangerous because of violations of the standard operating procedures (SOP), even though all members were repeatedly advised to follow these rules.

It added that 11 judges and court staffers have contracted the disease as a result, and the courts will be closed for 14 days.

A few days earlier, Section 144 was imposed in the federal capital stating that anyone not waering mask could be arrested.

According to the deputy commissioner Islamabad, Hamza Shafqaat, anyone in public places found not wearing a mask “can be arrested by police” under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).