Decision to ease lockdown in phases taken with consultations: CM Buzdar
He said educational institutions will remain closed till July 15
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that the decision to ease lockdown in a phased manner has been taken with collective consultations and unanimous decisions have also been taken in order to bring ease and facilitation in the lives of common man.
While formally announcing relaxation in lockdown, he said that Punjab government has taken decisions with unanimity with the federal government and other provinces.
Usman Buzdar apprised that a decision has been taken to allow functioning of industries linked with construction and concerned shops. He further maintained that permission will also be granted to open more industries and concerned businesses.
The CM highlighted that industries comprising of pipe mills, ceramics, sanitary wares, paints, electrical cables, switch boards, steel, aluminium and other shops will also be allowed to operate. Hardware stores will also be opened and it has been decided to open small markets and small shops across the province, he stated.
CM Buzdar maintained that small markets and small shops will remain open from early Fajar time till 5 pm in the evening. He further underscored that small markets and small shops getting opened will remain closed for two days in a week.
The chief minister stressed that two days enforcement of closure will not be applied on the already opened pharmacies, medical stores, milk shops, karyana stores, tandoors, bakeries and other shops. CM further disclosed that it has also been decided to open OPDs of hospitals.
He apprised that it has also been decided with consensus that educational institutions will remain closed till 15th July and examinations of boards have also been cancelled and promotions of students in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades will be done on the basis of previous year’s result.
Buzdar further urged the masses and citizens to fully cooperate with the government in the perspective of its decision to ease lockdown.
“We have to safeguard lives of the people of the province and also have to resolve problems of common man,” Usman Buzdar said and exhorted the masses to implement all SOPs laid down by the government as it is their fundamental responsibility. As much as the citizens show responsibility, the more they will be saved from contracting coronavirus, he added.
Passengers allowed to order food from outside at quarantine centers
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has allowed passengers, who have returned to Pakistan from abroad, at quarantine centers and hotels to order food from outside.
The Punjab CM met Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) Punjab Vice Chairman Waseem Akhtar Ramay to exchange views over the facilities being provided to the travelers at quarantine centers.
Usman Buzdar stressed that action will be taken against those who sell substandard or expensive food at quarantine centers. The CM and Waseem Akhtar Ramay also discussed the solution of problems faced by overseas Pakistanis due to novel coronavirus.
The CM said that OPC Punjab will be given access to the passengers at quarantine centers and hotels to solve their problems and the procedure will soon be finalized.
“Many overseas Pakistanis have lost their jobs due to coronavirus and the provincial government will consider providing relief to those who earned livelihood on work permit abroad. Concerned departments and institutions have been directed to prepared relief package in this regard,” he added.
