Shops, kiosks violate lockdown timings

Several hair salons, juice corners, barbeque shops, restaurants were found serving customers on Saturday night

LAHORE: Some shopkeepers are running their business till late night despite the time limit announced by the government under the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

Several hair salons, juice corners, barbeque shops, restaurants and kiosks were found serving customers on Saturday night. Some local people alleged that police officials had allowed a restaurant on Ghazi Road, a paan shop and a pizza outlet near the General Hospital to operate after the daily deadline.

They alleged that the officials took items for their use from the shops for free in return for ignoring the violation of the lockdown by them.

They said police officials were getting cigarettes free of cost from a paan shop that remained open till Sehri time.

The front of the shop was covered but a man sitting in front of it was taking orders from customers.

A man working inside the shop was handing over the ordered items to his colleague after lifting a corner of the tent erected at its entrance. Juice and barbeque shops were open till late hours on Millat Road.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2020.