13 more city areas go under smart lockdown

All kinds of public gatherings banned as Covid spikes

LAHORE:

Following a surge in the number of coronavirus cases, the government has decided to impose smart lockdown in another 13 areas of the provincial metropolis.

Punjab Primary and Secondary Health Secretary Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman indicated that smart lockdown has been imposed in areas where reports of coronavirus tests are being received positive. He highlighted that smart lockdown has been imposed in affected streets and areas of Rang Mahal, inside Sheranwala Gate, Mochi Gate, Shahalam, Bhatti Gate, Islamia Park, Ravi Road, Kasur Pura, Badami Bagh, Khokhar Road and Iqbal Park.

Following the imposition of lockdown movement of the residents has been restricted. They are allowed to leave their homes in case of emergency and only a single person can use a vehicle. The embargo has been imposed on all kinds of public gatherings. Medical stores, pharmacies, laboratories and their collection points and clinics are allowed to remain operational 24/7 in these areas.

As per the notification, milk shops, chicken, fish and meat outlets, and bakeries can operate between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm. Grocery and general stores, atta chaki, fruit and vegetable shops, tandoor, and the petrol station will be open from 09:00 am to 07:00 pm. Health secretary has underlined the prime objective of the lockdown is to restrict the free movement of citizens to curtail the viral disease from further spread.

He asked citizens to adhere guidelines of the government and medical professionals as any negligence or casual attitude could increase the threat of coronavirus disease.

Official data release from the Corona Monitoring Room shows that 629 coronavirus case were surfaced across Punjab during past 24 hours after which the total number of coronavirus patients have reached 126,526. Data shows that 254 new cases were reported in Lahore, 81 Rawalpindi, one Layyah, 41 Jhang, one Chiniot, two Sahiwal, 13 Bahawalpur, 17 Multan, 26 Bhakhar, 35 Sargodha, four Attock, 14 Sialkot, one Chakwal, 10 Bahawalnagar, one Dera Ghazi Khan, 19 Faisalabad, four Gujrat, nine Okara, six Kasur, two Hafizabad, six Pakpattan, 10 Toba Tek Singh, eight Gujranwala, six Khushab, eight Rahim Yar Khan, 11 Vehari, five Khanawal, 11 Nankana Sahib, one Lodhran, six Jhehlum, two Mianwali, two Sheikhupura and 12 in Muzaffarghar.

Health Department spokesman highlighted that 36 deaths have been reported during the past 24 hours after which total causalities have been reached 3,320.

So far 2.16 million coronavirus tests have been conducted and 114,860 people have defeated the disease. The government has arranged coronavirus treatment in 242 hospitals across the province and allocated 8,627 beds and 3,129 oxygen beds for corona patients. Right now around 1,250 beds are available in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2020.