After two-week interval due to coronavirus cases reported at the campus, the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) is set to resume its classes from today (Monday) with 50 percent staffers’ attendance as per government policy. The university asked for 50 percent staffers’ physical attendance while the rest of the staff would follow the ‘work from home’ policy in light with NCOC’s guidelines. According to the notification issued by varsity acting registrar Dr Zahid Asghar all employees should ensure the prescribed SOPs as a precautionary measure to stop the spread of the COVID-19. “Due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the country and especially in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, it has been decided to take safety precautions as a matter of course at QAU,” reads the notification. In the light of recent NCOC’s communique, the letter said, the policy of work from home for 50 percent staff is to be applied for performance official work. The QAU said that all departments/section heads are requested to prepare and communicate duty roasters to all concerned affected from November 9. The departments/section heads were asked to bear the onus on delegating enough staff to maintain daily work balance. Only employees, prior approval may inter teaching or administration block after adhearing SOPs. For all cases related to public dealing such as degree, DMC issuance or clearance a one window facilitation center has been established in BS block (admission camp office, school of management sciences) which will remain open in normal office timings. Meanwhile, a smart lockdown has been imposed in the federal capital with authorities deciding to seal certain sectors in the city where coronavirus cases are on the rise. The Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat said that the lockdown will be effective in the city’s targeted locations from (today) Monday. “Subsectors 1-8/3, 1-8/4, G-9/1, G-10/4 and G-6/2 Islamabad are hereby sealed (locked down) with effect from 10.00 A.M in larger public interest arid until further orders,” reads the notification issued by DC. “The exemptions to this order include essential services and supplies like pharmacy, patients for medical aid, rationing, drinking water supplies and emergency,” it added further. The notification called on local police to cordon off the sub-sectors to ensure the spread of the virus is curbed. “The Sub-Divisional Magistrates Industrial Area, City and Shalimar, ICT Islamabad are hereby directed to execute the orders in their subdivisions and to ensure uninterrupted supply of food/edibles inside the infield sub-sectors,” notification added. The development came a couple of days after the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government imposed a targeted lockdown in certain areas of Peshawar due to a rise in coronavirus cases. Pakistan has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases in the past couple of months, notable since the country decided to relax business timings, re-open restaurants and schools as well as other educational institutions across the country. A day back, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), while appealing to the people to follow the coronavirus SOPS, had warned them against a “more lethal” second wave of the disease. Hailing the government’s decision to impose fines on those not wearing masks in public, the PMA urged the government to take strict action against those not following the COVID-19 SOPs. “The virus has claimed the lives of at least eight doctors in the past three weeks, said the PMA in a statement. They also suggested the government organize a mask distribution drive, ensure prices of masks and sanitizers were controlled. The PMA had also sought personal protection equipment for doctors and paramedical staff from the government and demanded the release of funds promised under an already announced package.