Lahore city admin won’t de-seal businesses

Commissioner issues orders to slap stricter penalties on violators

LAHORE:

In a move to dissuade business owners from flouting coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs), the city administration has decided not to de-seal businesses found guilty of ignoring safety protocols dictated by the Punjab government.

Lahore Division Commissioner Muhammad Usman issued the directions on Sunday while presiding over a meeting concerning Covid-19 SOPs and crackdown against sugar mafia.

 He directed all district and local administrations to enforce stricter penalties over coronavirus SOPs’ violations.

“From now onwards, the administration would not de-seal premises closed down over violations of coronavirus standard operating procedures till April 11,” the commissioner stressed.

 Usman stated that the policy would continue till the government announces the end of lockdown. It is worth noting that according to the lockdown notification, businesses would be allowed to resume commercial activities sans time limits from April 12.

Read More: Inter-provincial transport to remain suspended for two days a week

Referring to the third Covid19 wave, the commissioner warned that coronavirus was spreading rapidly and if all citizens would not strictly adhere to rules and protocols defined by government, the situation might turn worse.

 “The hospitals are under immense pressure, therefore we must act responsibly to prevent the health system from collapsing,” he stressed.

The commissioner was informed by the officials that up to Sunday afternoon, as many as 1,237 price inspection visits were conducted in the city.

Furthermore, the meeting was told that 25 first information reports (FIRs) were lodged, 25 persons were arrested and a fine of Rs482,000 was slapped on profiteers.

 To contain the avarice of commodity dealers, he said all officers should be in field to monitor the performance of price magistrates designated with the task of penalising violators.