Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Sunday told police to motivate the people to follow the government’s directives to tackle the transmission of coronavirus.

He gave the directive to all metropolitan police, range and district police superintendents through a video conference from the Police Headquarters.

A surge in infection prompted the Prime Minister Office (PMO) to issue an 18-point directive on March 29. The Cabinet Division gave an 11-point guideline on April 4.

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Benazir emphasised motivating the people and not using force to implement the directives when the country enters a seven-day lockdown from Monday.

The IGP said that like last year, the kitchen markets have to be set up in open space. Following health guidelines must be ensured there.

About the quarantine of returnees, he said that if anyone comes from abroad, they have to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

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Emergency services, factories and garments industries will remain open, he said, adding that public transport will be closed. The movement of vehicles carrying goods should be kept normal.

He instructed police officers and the force to perform their duties following proper health guidelines. The IGP directed to strictly implement the 'No Mask No Entry' policy at all police installations.

He also instructed the police officers to regularly disinfect all police installations.

Also read: Restriction on gatherings, quarantine rule among PMO’s 18-point directive to contain Covid surge

The IGP said that after coronavirus cases were first detected in the country in March last year, police stood by the people as a humanitarian force to tackle the crisis.

He hoped that everyone would work together to curb the spread of coronavirus by implementing the government's orders to deal with the second wave.