Punjab imposes lockdown in 12 Covid hotspots

Only one person in a vehicle would be allowed to leave locale in case of need

LAHORE:

The Punjab government on Thursday imposed a smart lockdown in a 12 areas of Lahore identified as the coronavirus hotspots to reduce the incidence of disease among residents.

The identified areas include: Children's Library Complex, 4 Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road near Bagh-e-Jinnah, Islampura, Hiran Road from 2G to 4G, Street No 27 Rajgarh, House No 42A to 46A, New Chauburji Park, House No 390A to 394A in Gulshan Block and Gulshan-e-Ravi.

A notification issued by the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) stated that all markets, shopping malls, restaurants, offices (public and private) shall remain closed in the areas where the smart lockdown has been imposed.

The movement of people has also been restricted in these areas, allowing only one person per vehicle to travel in and out of the locales.

Moreover, the provincial government has also banned all types of gatherings whether social, religious, or any other purpose at any place within these hotspots to reduce the positivity ratio among citizens of these areas.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Capt (retd) Muhammad Usman said that all medical services, pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories, collection points, hospitals and clinics will remain open 24 hours a day.

“Dairy shops, meat shops and bakeries would also be allowed to stay open from 7am to 7pm,” he added.

Reiterating the importance of following standard operating procedures (SOPs), Usman stressed, “Coronavirus can spread rapidly again if care is not taken.

Remember that only by being more careful we can prevent another serious outbreak of the virus.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2021.