Lockdown sparks shopping spree across Punjab

Major city arteries witness gridlocks, traders condemn government decision

LAHORE:

As the Punjab government announced its decision to impose a smart lockdown for eight days, a large number of citizens came out of their houses to complete their Eid shopping, which not only crowded the markets but also caused traffic jams on main city roads and in commercial areas.

Earlier the government had announced imposition of the lockdown from Thursday but Law Minister Basharat Raja on Monday announced that it would be imposed across Punjab from Monday midnight till August 5.

He highlighted that the purpose of the lockdown was to minimise the risk of coronavirus disease.

“We are close to defeating the Covid-19 pandemic and the number of coronavirus cases should not increase again,” he maintained.

Addressing a meeting of the Anti-Coronavirus Cabinet Committee, he highlighted that there had not been a single death from coronavirus in the last 24 hours in the province.

Lauding the departments concerned, Raja said that medical and grocery stores, transport and essential offices would remain open during the lockdown, while markets would remain completely closed.

He said the decision has been taken keeping in view the experience of Eidul Fitr due to which the cases of coronavirus had suddenly increased. He warned that stern action would be taken against those who were violating coronavirus SOPs and causing inflation on the occasion of Eid.

Earlier in a briefing of the health department, the meeting was informed that the number of coronavirus victims in Punjab was declining, however, precautions were necessary to defeat the pandemic.

Provincial ministers Dr Yasmeen Rashid, Mian Aslam Iqbal and Fayyaz Al Hassan Chauhan, chief secretary Punjab, additional chief secretary home, additional IG, secretary to CM, SMBR, secretary specialised health, secretary primary health, the CCPO and heads of relevant departments were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, traders condemned the government decision to impose complete lockdown across the province. They demanded that the government allow them to keep their businesses functional as they were already facing huge losses owing to coronavirus lockdowns.

Traders’ leaders from Hall Road and Mall Road, including Babar Mahmood and others, held a press conference to express their reservations against the government’s decision to impose lockdown in the province when coronavirus cases were declining.

They underscored that it was unjust that the government had imposed lockdown ahead of Eidul Azha.

Citizens also complained about their incomplete Eid shopping. A woman, Amna Begum, said: “We did not expect a lockdown when coronavirus cases were declining. The sudden announcement of the lockdown has caused inconvenience for the citizens as most of the people did not even buy Eid clothes.

As per the latest announcement, all the businesses will remain closed till August 5, except grocery stores, pharmacies, milk and nan shops and cattle markets. Businesses which were exempted from the lockdown would continue to function till 7pm.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said in a statement that smart lockdown has yielded the best results.

“The number of patients has sufficiently decreased. The opponents of this policy should see the results,” he remarked. He said the opposition parties tried to sow discord even on the issue of coronavirus. It is sanguine that the spread of the virus has been controlled due to the effective measure used by the government, he said.

He emphasised that people should celebrate Eidul Azha with simplicity and follow the SOPs on the occasion. "Public cooperation is very important and they should ensure continuous observance of SOPs besides maintaining social distancing because they will remain safe by following necessary precautions,” the CM said.

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