Punjab govt imposes partial lockdown to curb third Covid-19 wave

LAHORE: The Punjab government has imposed a partial lockdown throughout the province to combat the rising cases of Coronavirus.

“Positivity cases in some cities is constantly rising and the third wave is looming, which poses a serious and imminent threat to public health. Hence it is mandatory to take all possible safety measures for prevention and control of the disease in the province of Punjab ,” a government order said.

“According to the advice of health experts, starting from Saturday night, we have decided to implement strict coronavirus SOPs in districts with over 5% positivity rate for the next 15 days,” he said.

Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar announced a series of new restrictions to contain the disease.

The restrictions are being put in place under the Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) Act 2020.

Restrictions

All commercial activities, establishments and markets will close by 6pm on weekdays and completely closed on weekends.
This excludes medical services, general stores, bakeries, milk and meat shops, tire puncture shops, fruit and vegetable shops, tandoors, petrol pumps, oil depots, LPG outlets and filing plants, agriculture machinery workshops and spare parts shops, printing press, call centers (with 50% staff and no public dealing).
Takeaway and home delivery from restaurants will remain open
Wedding halls are to stay closed in Lahore, Rawalpindi. Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Gujrat from March 15.
Only outdoor functions will be allowed with a maximum of 300 guests.
Complete ban on indoor and outdoor dining in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Gujrat and only takeaway/ home delivery will be allowed in these cities.
Parks will close at 6pm.
Offices are to follow a 50% work from home policy.
Cinemas and shrines will stay closed.
Indoor gatherings have been banned. Outdoor gatherings are allowed with a maximum of 50 people in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Gujrat and 300 persons (outdoor) in the rest of the province for a maximum of two hours.
Sports and all cultural activities will remain banned
Industrial activities and establishments are exempt from these restrictions
547 Punjab shrines shut as COVID-19 cases increase
The Punjab Auqaf department announced Saturday that Lahore’s Data Darbar and other shrines have been closed for devotees due to the rising number of coronavirus cases.

The Auqaf department said that, in total, 547 shrines located across the province have been closed to stem the rising coronavirus cases. They added that the shrines will be closed till April 15.

The manager of the Data Darbar said the shrine’s mosque will only open for prayers. He added that all the coronavirus standard operating procedures will be followed during the prayers.