Lockdowns in Sindh and Punjab to get more stringent
The provinces are currently under partial lockdown to counter the spread of the virus
LAHORE/KARACHI (Dunya News) - In a bid to make the lockdown against spread of coronavirus in both provinces more effective, the governments of Punjab and Sindh have decided to tighten restrictions during the province-wide lockdowns.
Sindh government has decided to alter the current lockdown plan in the province and announced that shops will close earlier than before. According to spokesperson of Chief Minister Sindh, shops in the province will now remain closed after 5:00 pm instead of 9:00 pm.
Chief Minister Sindh has said that the spread of the virus cannot be controlled unless more strict measures are exercised. He has passed strict orders to not allow citizens to move around without a valid reason as the increasing number of cases needs to be stopped.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar has decided that shops selling items of daily use in Punjab will only remain open from 8:00 am till 8:00 pm.
This decision will be implemented from Saturday and no one will be exempt from it. On direction of the Prime Minister, goods transport will be allowed to move unabated; however, public transport vehicles will remain banned.
The CM has directed officials to make the process of hotspot checking stricter as well as identify critical areas where the virus is most active and limit public movement in those areas.
The province is currently under partial lockdown with all government and private offices, shopping malls and recreational places closed down while pillion riding is also banned.
Only two persons have been allowed to go with the patient to hospitals or health care centers. Factories manufacturing and supplying eatables, medicines, medical equipment and necessary items will also remain open.
The officials of Health Ministry, security agencies and media houses have been exempted from this lockdown as no restrictions are applicable on them.
Essential service providers including WASA, WAPDA and telecom companies will continue to work and Edhi and other welfare organizations are also permitted to carry on with their tasks.
Earlier, Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar told that the decision of lockdown from 24th March 9:00am to 6th April 9:00am was made in the cabinet committee for anti-coronavirus.
Sardar Buzdar announced that line departments will perform their duties in case of any violation as section 144 is imposed in the province.
The CM also paid tributes to Pakistan Army, civil administration, medical staff and local bodies employees and media for performing their duties in this hour of trial.
