38 more localities face lockdown in Lahore

CM warns of stricter restrictions for safeguarding lives

LAHORE:

To rein in the surge in coronavirus cases, the government has decided to further tighten restrictions in areas having high infection rates. The authorities proposed micro-smart lockdown in 38 more areas of the provincial capital on Sunday.

The district administration advised the government to impose micro-smart lockdown in selected areas and streets of Defence Housing Authority (DHA), EME Society, Mustafa Town, Bahria Town, Allama Iqbal Town, Tech Society, Askari Vilas, Shalimar, Paragon City, Valencia Town, Lake City, Gulberg, Garden Town, Model Town, Samanabad, Malik Park, Mohni Road, Riwaz Garden, Sandha, Shah Jamal and Islampura. A communiqué was sent to the provincial government for seeking approval to impose lockdown in the areas.

Read: Covid-19 claims 43 more lives in Punjab

The city police were also directed to remain alert in the coronavirus hotspots.

Earlier, the district administration had imposed micro-smart lockdown in 27 areas of Lahore, including neighbourhoods of Johar Town, PIA Housing Society, Architect Society, NFC Housing Society, Lahore Press Club Housing Society, DHA, Saadi Park, Model Town, State Life Insurance Housing Society, Gulshan Ravi and Valencia Town.

The government also decided to strictly enforce the condition of wearing of face mask in public. As many as 44 cases were registered against citizen roaming in the city without face mask on Sunday. A spokesperson for the city police highlighted that the highest number of 33 cases were registered in City Division over face mask violation. Three cases each were registered in Iqbal Town, Civil Lines and Model Town divisions. Similarly, two cases were registered in Cantt Division.

He highlighted that total 83 cases were registered on Sunday over different violations of the coronavirus safety standard operating procedures (SOPs). The government has also constituted joint teams of police, local administration and health department to conduct inspections and raids in this regard. The authorities have been directed to take stern action against violators of the SOPs without any discrimination.

Lahore Division Commissioner Muhammad Usman closed down the operations of a bus service over violation of coronavirus SOPs. He sealed Thokar Niaz Baig Terminal of Daewoo Express for loading over 50% passengers in intercity buses in violation of the SOPs.

On the commissioner’s instruction, the local administration also sealed 15 intercity buses over violations of coronavirus SOPs, including social distancing, and slapped a fine of Rs30,000 on public transport companies’ staff for not wearing masks. The commissioner also distributed face masks among citizens and motorists in different areas of the city. He warned citizens and officials that strict action would be taken against violators of SOPs.

Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials also checked enforcement of coronavirus SOPs at different bus terminals, imposed Rs100,000 worth of fine and sealed 10 buses. The RTA secretary also instructed the officials concerned to strictly implement the coronavirus SOPs.

Also read: Covid infected PM rules out complete lockdown in country, again

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said that the number of coronavirus patients was increasing immensely amid the third wave of the pandemic. Following the government’s guidelines for curbing coronavirus was in the best interest of the people, he added.

He said the people can only protect themselves by following the SOPs. He stressed that citizens should make face mask a compulsory part of their lives. Adopting the preventive measures is an effective way to deal with coronavirus, Buzdar added.

He said that effective and timely measures have been taken by the government to deal with coronavirus. He urged the people to play their due role and cooperate with the government. The government will continue to take more steps to safeguard the lives of the people as extraordinary circumstances demand extraordinary steps, he added.

He warned that more strict restrictions can be imposed for safeguarding the lives of the people.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2021.