LAHORE: Authorities in Punjab have been instructed to prepare SOPs for the Jumatul Wida and Eid-ul-Fitr congregational prayers in the province and to ensure implementation of the guidelines.
The directions came during a meeting chaired by Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat to appraise the situation emerging in the province due to the COVID-19.
The meeting was also attended by provincial minister for industries Mian Aslam Iqbal, Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafiq and IG Punjab.
The chief secretary briefed the meeting that security should be provided during the Friday and Eid prayers, adding, that violation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will not be tolerated at any cost.
The secretary directed officials to make sure that SOPs were being followed in the markets with the support of traders.
Jawad Rafiq said markets are only allowed to conduct business four days a week, whereas, they will remain close for the remaining three days.
Shopping malls across Punjab will re-open from tomorrow (Monday) after the provincial government gave the go-ahead to resume operations.
Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan said that the overall situation across Punjab is satisfactory after the government allowed people to go on about their daily businesses while ensuring the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures.
The minister said that the decision to either ease or ramp up lockdown restrictions will be taken keeping in view the public response during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to him, people can carry out daily activities while making sure they are following the SOPs put in place by the government. He expressed hope that the public will not take undue advantage of the ease in curbs and act responsibly.
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