All grocery, general stores to shut down by 8pm

Buzdar issues directives to prevent spread of coronavirus

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said all grocery shops and general stores would close down at 8:00pm. He said this while presiding over a video-link meeting of the cabinet committee for the eradication of coronavirus at his office on Friday, to review the arrangements made for the treatment of patients.

He also reviewed the pace of the food supply chain in the province.

The chief minister said that these shops will remain open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily and implementation on this decision will be started from Saturday, March 28.

“No one will be allowed to violate this decision,” he added. He continued that a decision has also been made on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan to allow movement of goods transport while the ban on public transport will remain in vogue.

He directed to further restrict the hot-spots' checking system throughout the province adding implementation on SOPs to be ensured after the identification of sensitive areas.



The CM maintained that movement should be kept limited in corona case affected areas. He directed to ensure the availability of essential items and arrangements relating to managing food supplies for the poor to be given final shape at the earliest.

He reiterated that the economic package is being devised for the hoi polloi and a committee led by the finance minister will give a briefing on Saturday.

He further said that the availability of coronavirus kits must be ensured along with the provision of personal protection equipment for doctors and paramedics.

He directed to clean the DG Khan quarantine centres with antiseptic spray. “Punjab government appreciates the services being rendered by Pakistan Army, rangers, police, and members of the provincial administration,” said Buzdar. Similarly, the role being played by doctors and paramedics is also worthwhile, he added.

Provincial ministers Basharat Raja, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Dr Yasmeen Rahid, Hashim Jawan Bakht, CS, IGP and Commissioner Lahore attended the meeting at CM Office while Mussarat Jamshed Cheema MPA, SMBR and high officials participated through video link from Civil Secretariat.

Secretaries of P&D, labour, food and agriculture departments attended the meeting through video link from P&D Department. Commissioners of DG Khan, Multan and Faisalabad divisions also attended the meeting through the video link.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2020.