After an increase in coronavirus cases, imposed smart lockdown in Punjab cities
LAHORE: (Monitoring Desk) The Punjab government announced a smart lockdown in Punjab cities, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad on Tuesday due to a recent increase in covid-19 infections during the fourth wave of the pandemic. According to a statement provided by the provincial government, the lockdown was enforced on Tuesday, August 3 and will last through August 31.
It’s worth noting that the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) made the decision to re-impose limitations after analysing the pandemic’s worsening status in the country. Markets and businesses would be allowed to operate till 8:00 p.m., according to a Punjab government announcement.
Pharmacies/Medical stores, healthcare centers and immunisation centres, petrol pumps, tandoors, bakeries, milk/dairy shops, and food stores have all been granted exemptions by the provincial administration (24 hours a day).
Takeout and e-commerce/courier/postal services, as well as utility services (electricity, natural gas, internet, cellular networks/telecom, call centres, and media). Automobile workshops, oil depots, and other types of mandis, such as grain, fruit, animal, and vegetable markets.
Closed Days during lock-down
Saturdays and Sundays will be recognized as “closed days,” with all businesses and commercial activity remaining closed during the smart lockdown in Punjab cities. However, there are certain exceptions to the closed days.
Petrol Pumps, Medical Stores, Medical Facilities and Vaccination Centers Tandoors, bakeries, karyana stores, milk shops, and sweet shops are all popular choices. Meat Shops, Vegetable & Fruit Shops, (takeaways and E-commerce / Courier / Postal day) (24 hours a day) Services and Utility Services (Electricity, Natural Gas, Internet, Cellular Networks/Telecom, Coll Centers) Media).
The Punjab government has issued an order prohibiting inside dining, although outdoor dining is permitted till 10 p.m. The provincial administration has given restaurants permission to offer takeaway service to their clients 24 hours.
Indoor weddings will be prohibited beginning August 8, 2021. Under rigorous covid-19 standards, outdoor weddings with a limit of 400 guests will be permitted. Outdoor marriages are permitted until 10:00 PM.
The Punjab government has ordered that all shrines in the cities be closed completely. Cinemas will be shut down completely. All forms of indoor meetings, including cultural, musical, religious, and other events, have been banned. Under rigorous covid-19 guidelines, however, outdoor gatherings of no more than 400 people will be permitted.
New restrictions
The notification was released after Asad Umar, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Plans, announced new limitations in key cities on Monday in response to the country’s escalating number of coronavirus cases.
All decisions were taken with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s approval, according to the minister, who spoke alongside Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan during a press conference in Islamabad on Monday.
According to the government, the new coronavirus limitations will go into effect on August 3 and will run through August 31. According to Umar, new limitations will be imposed in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan in Punjab, and in Peshawar and Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
