Coronavirus: CM Buzdar announces 14-day Punjab lockdown

LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has announced that Punjab will go into a 14-day lockodown starting from March 24.

The announcement comes a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan demonstrated his reluctance to declare a nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19.

According to official datay, 21 new cases have been reported in Punjab, taking its total cases to 246.

Addressing a press conference, Buzdar said that the lockdown will be implemented from March 24 to April 6.

All shopping malls, markets, restaurants, and tourist spots will remain closed during the lockdown, he said, adding public transport will also remain off roads.

The groceries stores, pharmacies, utility stores and bakeries will be allowed to open along with factories where medicines are produced, he added.

Section 144 has already been implemented and there is a ban on pillion riding too, the chief minister said.

Pakistan has so far reported 805 cases of coronavirus, of which six people have died. To control the situation, Sindh announced on Sunday that it is going into lockdown to stop people from leaving their houses and encourage self-isolation.