LAHORE: The Punjab government has imposed a smart lockdown in various cities across the province amid a rising number of coronavirus cases.
The provincial government has imposed a lockdown in 16 areas of Lahore, 17 in Gujarat, 20 in Gujranwala and four areas of Rawalpindi. All shops selling fruit, vegetable, milk, meat as well as bakeries will remain open till 7PM. As per the rules, only one person will be allowed to leave the house in case of an emergency.
All business centres in Punjab will be closed from Monday at 6PM, whereas markets will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, 50 percent staff attendance at private and government offices will be permitted.
All indoor wedding halls, shrines, cinemas, and community centres have been closed in the most affected areas of Gujarat, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala.
The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) has expressed concern over the rising number of cases and called on the provinces to strictly implement security measures in order to curb the virus spread.
Meanwhile, a smart lockdown in some cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also being considered while a further ban on international travel from some countries will be considered after consultation with the relevant authorities.
In Gujranwala, the district administration has imposed a smart lockdown in 20 areas as the number of coronavirus patients in the district reached 393.
Deputy Commissioner Gujranwala said the administration will enforce coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) strictly. He said there will be a complete ban on all kinds of gatherings at any place throughout these areas.
He said all shops in the district will be closed by 6:00PM except the shops of essential items and medical stores. Only take-away will be allowed at hotels and restaurants. Moreover, schools, cinema halls, parks and shrines will also remain closed for two weeks. Spring festival and other sports events, gatherings and ceremonies have been banned.
