Punjab govt to crackdown on SOPs violators

Fast-multiplying infections trigger action in six districts

LAHORE: Following a rapid increase in coronavirus (Covid-19) patients, the Punjab government has decided to immediately launch a crackdown against violation of safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) in six big cities of the province.

However, besides tightening the noose around traders violating the SOPs, the government has decided to open public parks in the province.

The decisions were made in a meeting of the Punjab Cabinet Committee on Coronavirus here on Thursday.

After evaluating the current Covid-19 situation, including massive increase in coronavirus cases and casual attitude of the people, the committee decided to take immediate action against violation of safety SOPs in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Gujarat. The meeting approved strict implementation of safety SOPs in the big cities to contain further spread of the disease.

It also decided to close down shops and markets ignoring the SOPs besides joint action by local administration and traffic police against commuters, including motorbike riders, not wearing face masks.

Provincial Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan underlined that increase in Covid-19 cases in the province is a matter of great concern for the government. “Every citizen has to show a responsible attitude to arrest the virus spread, otherwise the government will be compelled to take strict measures,” he maintained and added that the message of strict implementation of precautionary measures must reach all people, for which an effective media campaign has been launched to raise awareness on the issue.

He lamented that the government had resumed public transport to reduce problems of citizens but a care-free attitude towards social distancing was being observed. “After significant reduction in petroleum products prices there should be no harm to transporters in complying with the safety SOPs and leaving one seat vacant between passengers,” he remarked and stressed that there is a dire need of compliance with the safety SOPs in major cities and all government agencies should team up for joint action against violators.

The meeting also decided that the matter of Covid-19 tests of passengers at the airports should be referred for consultation with the National Command and Operational Centre (NCOC).

It was revealed in the meeting that 39 deaths due to coronavirus had been reported during past 24 hours and 36 patients were in a critical condition.

Meanwhile, Industries Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal held a separate meeting with office-bearers of different traders’ bodies at Town Hall. He warned them about strict action over violation of safety SOPs and said local administration officials will conduct surprise raids in markets and other commercial areas to inspect implementation of the SOPs. “If any violation is found, not only that particular shop but the entire market will be sealed.”

Iqbal told the media that similar meetings with traders are underway across the province and it was necessary to take immediate steps as the number of patients was increase at an alarmingly high rate.

He told traders that local administration officials will be deployed at entry points of markets and commercial areas and no one will be allowed to enter them without mask. It is the responsibility of shopkeepers to provide face mask to a customer not wearing it.

The minister also warned traders to immediately remove all encroachments.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2020.