The local administration on Tuesday partially locked Islamabad amid fears of a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in the federal capital.

According to a notification issued in this regard on Tuesday evening, public transport and the inter-city bus service were suspended. Also, markets, shopping malls, restaurants and private offices were closed. Metro bus service will operate from 8:30 am to 10:00 am and then from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm. OPDs of public hospitals were closed and patients were being treated at emergency wards.

The partial lockdown in Islamabad comes shortly after partial lockdown in Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as number of coronavirus cases in the country continues to rise.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Islamabad, as of March 24, was 15. Two of the patients have recovered fully and returned home, while others are receiving treatment. The city has not received any virus-related death so far.