Punjab goes virtual again as schools shut down

LAHORE:

As Punjab province wrestles with deadly smog and an alarming AQI, the provincial on Wednesday announced the closure of all educational institutions from November 7 to 17, sending students back to online learning—reminiscent of the pandemic-times shift.

The drastic measure came in response to an alarming spike in the AQI which has soared past 1,000, prompting an environmental emergency.

The decision, made in consultation with environmental experts, aims to protect citizens from the severe health risks associated with the current air quality.

Senior provincial minister Maryam Aurangzeb confirmed that schools will remain closed across the affected districts, and students will attend classes virtually as the region faces its worst smog crisis in years.

A notification issued by the Punjab government on Wednesday confirmed that all "educational institutions, including private tuition centres (public/private) up to Higher Secondary Level (12th grade/A-level) shall remain closed and shift to online mode."

The affected districts listed in the notification include Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari, and Khanewal.

The notification further stated that the government was "striving hard to control all possible intrinsic factors which cause air pollution and deteriorate the quality of ambient air."

Furthermore, masks have been made mandatory for all citizens in Lahore as the city's AQI has surged past 1,000, indicating hazardous levels of pollution.

The Punjab government has also announced that 50% of employees in both government and private offices will work from home. All meetings in government offices will be held online.

In addition to the closures, a ban has been imposed on burning crop residues, a practice that experts say exacerbates the smog problem. Despite the ban on plastic bags in Lahore, violations persist, further contributing to the pollution levels.

The city's air quality index has hit a hazardous level of 1132, and experts are warning that the pollution is now so severe that the sun is unable to penetrate the thick smog.

Hospitals are seeing an increase in cases of respiratory and heart-related illnesses, with vulnerable individuals, particularly children and the elderly, being the most affected.

Meteorologists have forecasted no rainfall in the next 24 hours, and dry conditions are expected to persist, aggravating the smog situation. Winds from Rajasthan, Bikaner, Jaipur, and Delhi are continuously feeding the pollution in Lahore and its surroundings, exacerbating the crisis.

The Punjab government is taking steps to reduce the intensity of the smog, including a "green lockdown," spraying water on roads, and enforcing construction bans. Senior officials are urging citizens and shopkeepers to volunteer in this environmental emergency to prevent further deterioration.

Marriyum Aurangzeb has warned that if the situation worsens, the government will be forced to implement a full lockdown. She has called on all citizens and institutions to strictly adhere to safety measures, such as wearing masks and staying indoors, to help mitigate the crisis.

Authorities also stressed that preventive measures, such as wearing masks and avoiding unnecessary outdoor activity, are crucial in battling this environmental emergency.