LAHORE: Violations of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) in restaurants and wedding halls in the provincial capital have not ceased as owners of the businesses neither comply with the requirement of a mask nor of social distancing, Pakistan Today learnt on Saturday.
Awais Nazir, an owner of a marriage hall situated in Gulberg, he informed this scribe that marriage hall owners were aware of the threat of disease but were helpless during events.
“Customer and guests do not listen to us. And it is a burden to provide sanitisers. Duties must be divided in the implementation of law and order but in our case, we are held responsible for guests who do not follow SOPs,” he added.
Similarly, a manager in a restaurant in Gulberg, Ubaid Khan, said that the implementation of SOPs in restaurants was difficult. “As dine-in options are opening again, people are forgetting that they are still at risk of falling sick. Besides, wearing a mask while eating is impossible. As far as sanitisers are concerned, they are offered to all customers. This is the maximum we can do. The procedures must be reviewed and the system of implementation must be revised by the government.”
When asked about the current situation, the spokesperson of the district administration (DC) office informed that DC Lahore Mudassar Riaz has fined and seized shops, stores and marriage halls for violating Covid-19 SOPs.
“Assistant Commissioner (AC) City Faizan Ahmed sealed 11 shops and stores and 06 marriage halls while imposing a fine of Rs20,000 for overcharging and Rs10,000 for violating Covid-19 SOPs. Similarly, AC Shalimar Town Mansoor Qazi sealed three marriage halls and one shopping mall while the violators were fined Rs80,000. AC Cantt Zahi Shakir sealed 12 shops and two restaurants and fined them Rs20,000 for overcharging and Rs10,000 for violating SOPs.”
The spokesperson further added that the district administration is active and actions are being taken against the violators of SOPs.
