Army to take control of Lahore after 6pm to implement Covid-19 SOPs: sources

Dunya News

Pakistan's confirmed COVID-19 cases have crossed 800,000 mark

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Army will take control of the provincial capital of Punjab after 6pm to enforce coronavirus related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), sources said on Monday.

According to sources, no one will be allowed to leave their house unnecessarily after 6pm and in emergency cases public will have to carry their National Identity Card (NIC).

However, government officials will be able to continue with routine after showing their official card, sources added.

Earlier, a notification was issued to take assistance of Pakistan Army in the wake of preventing further spread of coronavirus across the country.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced that Pakistan Army will help police and Rangers to ensure implementation on the coronavirus SOPs.

In a televised address after a meeting of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) in Islamabad, he regretted that the people are currently not observing caution. He warned if the people did not comply with the health guidelines, we will have to impose complete lockdowns in cities.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s confirmed COVID-19 cases have crossed 800,000 mark as the nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 17,187 on Monday.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) 4,825 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths and cases followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Till now 7,990 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab 4,599 in Sindh, 3,134 in KP, 665 in Islamabad, 462 in Azad Kashmir, 232 in Balochistan, and 105 in GB.