Partial lockdown in K-P extended until April 30

Intra-district transport of labourers exempted from restrictions

SWAT/ PESHAWAR: The provincial cabinet on Wednesday decided to extend a lockdown in the province for two more weeks, until April 30. However, certain restrictions have been relaxed even as the chief minister was informed in a separate meeting that the provincial capital was at risk of becoming an epicentre for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

Adviser to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister on Information Ajmal Wazir briefed the media after Wednesday’s special meeting of the provincial cabinet, which was chaired by K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan at the Civil Secretariat in Peshawar.

Wazir said that the meeting was briefed about the current position of Covid-19 cases in the province, with a total of 865 positive cases and 38 fatalities. He further said that decisions taken in the National Coordination Committee meeting the other day were discussed.

In view of that, Wazir said that the provincial cabinet has decided to extend the partial lockdown.

He added that given the financial crisis faced by daily wagers, some exemptions will be given.

“Inter-district transport will remain suspended until April 30, while intra-district transport will also remain suspended until April 30 but with a few exemptions,” Wazir said, detailing that the exemptions will apply to private vehicles, rickshaws and other vehicles transporting labourers.

The construction sector and allied facilities such as bricks, sand, fibreglass, building safety materials, steel, woodwork, tiles, water supply materials, cement, hardware and electric shops will open subject to the strict implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2020.