COVID-19: Emergency lockdown in Punjab

Lahore, 21st March: Keeping in view the current situation of the Punjab province amid the outbreak of coronavirus, the Punjab Government has taken a sudden decision for the safety of its citizens.

The increasing toll of the virus in Pakistan has forced the provincial governments to take some major steps and a lockdown in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The government of Punjab has issued the most urgent top priority order No.ADC (HQRS)/HC-II/523, to lock down Punjab in wake of the increasing number of coronavirus cases.

It states that there are sufficient grounds to proceed under section 144 of “The Code of criminal procedure, 1898”, in the interest of public safety.

At present the Punjab Government has taken this step for two days, all shopping malls and restaurants shall remain closed from 9:00 pm 22^nd March to 9:00 am Tuesday 24^th March 2020.

This order is not applicable to daily requirement providers like pharmacies, dispensaries, and clinics, groceries, tandoors, milk shops, atta chakkies, chicken and meat shops, grain mandies or petrol pumps. Take away and home delivery from restaurants is allowed as all the restaurants and cafes have been shut down.

It may be noted that a similar step was taken by the Sindh Government yesterday and they announced a lockdown of three days in Sindh to be observed strictly.

This is a very positive step taken by the provincial government for the safety of the citizens and to make people realize the importance of following the rule of self-isolation.

Stay safe and stay tuned to Baaghi TV for further updates.