Despite lockdowns and continuous awareness campaigns, people in Pakistan continues to violate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

At least 8,700 people arrested for violation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as deaths in Peshawar due to the novel coronavirus crosses 400 mark while 8,555 have tested positive.

After the province witnessed surge in COVID-19 cases, smart lockdowns enforced at 11 various points to curb the spread of the dread virus.

The numbers of both deaths and coronavirus positive cases are frightening for a city.

The deaths in Peshawar city make 11.3 percent of those who died due to the dread virus in the country and nearly 50 (49.4) percent of deaths in Khyber Pàkhtunkhwa province.

The deaths in the city had reached 23 percent of fatalities in the country a few weeks ago. It is pertinent to mention here that among those who were tested positive, 22 percent or 1896 were of the age group of 30 to 39 years while 1575 or 18 per cent were in their 20s.

This shows the situation in the provincial capital where a majority still believes that Covid-19 is not as serious an issue as being portrayed by the media and government.

On the other hand According to new statistics, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore Zulfiqar Hameed said that at least 861 cases were registered for violating SOPs during the smart lockdown in the city.

Police observed 1,486 markets and 34,765 shops and sealed at least 1,860 shops for violating government protocol.

23,770 shopkeepers and citizens were warned for minor violations.

Lahore city police officer directed all police personnel to wear face masks and take careful measures to lessen the spread of the virus.