Federal govt extends lockdown till May 9
Provincial governments will decide on their own regarding extension in lockdown.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal government on Friday extended the countrywide lockdown for the next two weeks citing fears of spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) with Prime Minster Imran Khan in chair.
The meeting reviewed coronavirus situation in the country. Chief Ministers of all four provinces attended the meeting through video link.
The meeting was given briefing on the figures of the National Command and Control Center (NCOC).
Later, addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar said the the provincial governments will decide on their own regarding extension in lockdown. He added there will be no load-shedding during Sehar and Iftar timings.
He said the government is working on increasing number of testing laboratories and isolation wards to effectively contain the Coronavirus.
Asad Umar said the meeting also decided that no load-shedding will be observed during Sehar and Aftar in holy month of Ramazan.
Terming the Ehsaas Cash Emergency Programme as historic, the Planning Minister said the government has so far distributed 69 billion rupees to fifty-seven hundred thousand families across the country. He urged the citizens to adopt precautionary measures and maintain proper social distancing during Ramazan.
Asad Umar said Pakistan Army is supporting the civil administration in its endeavors to combat the Coronavirus.
Punjab to extend lockdown
Punjab Government has also decided to extend the province-wide lockdown by 15 more days. Milk shops will be allowed to open during Iftar and Sehr but mass Iftar gatherings would be banned.
This important decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. The meeting reviewed in-detail the spread of coronavirus, steps taken to control it and other related issues.
The meeting decided to extend lockdown by 15 days directing that roadside mass iftar gatherings would be prohibited but shops of milk, samosas, pakoras etc would be allowed to open at times of Sehr and Iftar.
According to sources, CM Usman Buzdar has given strict instructions to ensure that the directives are implemented. He said that the provincial government is taking all steps necessary to overcome the coronavirus.
Sindh govt announces to intensify lockdown
Meanwhile, Sindh government has announced to further intensify the lockdown from today to control spread of Coronavirus in view of the suggestions given by medical experts.
In his video message on Friday, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah sought cooperation from the Ulema and asked people to offer Taraweeh at home.
He said shopping centers violating SOPs were immediately got closed, whereas small traders are extending cooperation to government by carrying out home delivery.
Murad Ali Shah said President Dr. Arif Alvi also took very important decisions regarding mosques and he also talked to him in this regard.
He warned the virus could spread rapidly if precautionary measures are not followed in true sense.
The Sindh CM while chairing a meeting concerning the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for businesses during the holy month of Ramzan said, “The business activities will be held between 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM from Monday to Thursday while grocery stores will remain open from 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM.
“Ehtram-e-Ramazan Ordinance will be enforced. Food delivery will be allowed between 05:00 PM to 10:00 PM and home delivery during sehri hours will not be permitted.
“The Sindh Home Department will issue an SOP and a notification for business activities in which timetable will be mentioned. Everything will be placed under a lockdown in Ramzan after 05:00 PM.”
Previously, the doctors on Wednesday while addressing a press conference demanded the Sindh government to impose strict lockdown in the province. The doctors warn of growing risks of coronavirus and appealed not to take the disease lightly.
The doctors said that the number of corona patients has increased by 40 percent in the last four days.
While demanding the government to tighten the lockdown, the doctors said that Ulema showed non-seriousness, adding that the virus will spread if people gather in mosques. “There is no place in the hospitals,” they said and added they don’t want to treat people on roads.
They demanded the government to even close shops of essential items in the wake of the deteriorating situation.
