-Strict lockdowns in areas with over 12% infections rate
-Dining out, wedding ceremonies banned in Lahore
-CM Buzdar terms the current wave as more dangerous
-Dr. Faisal says Provinces free to procure Vaccines
From Abid Usman
LAHORE: The Punjab government announced on Monday that lockdowns will be enforced in districts with a Covid-19 positivity of more than 12 per cent from April 1 to curb the spread of the disease.
“The lockdown will continue till April 11,” said Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar while speaking to media. He added that this will be reviewed by the cabinet committee on Covid-19 after seven days.
Buzdar stated that the provincial government will not impose any restrictions on economic activities or industries. “The construction, transport, goods and industrial sectors will continue to operate as per regular according to standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said.
The chief minister said that there will be a complete ban on wedding events and other gatherings in the province. “It was also decided to close down the mass transit transport system which includes the Orange Line Metro Train and the Speedo bus service.”
There will be also a complete ban on indoor and outdoor dining at all restaurants and hotels, Buzdar said. “However, takeaway and home delivery will be allowed.” He said that restrictions will continue to be in place on sporting, cultural and social activities. “Parks will be closed. Commercial timings for bazaars and markets will be till 6pm, while shops will remain closed two days of the week.”
Buzdar warned that the situation could worsen if SOPs are not implemented and observed. “You will protect yourself and your family members by wearing face masks,” he said.
‘Third wave is more dangerous’
At the start of his press conference, the chief minister said that the current wave of the pandemic was more dangerous than the first and the second.
“Compared to the first two phases, the third phase is much more intense. Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Multan have more positive cases.”
Buzdar stated that the positivity rate in Lahore over the last 24 hours was recorded as 21pc, which was an alarming statistic. “Because of the third wave, hospitals are rapidly filling up and the health system is under pressure.”
Moreover, in light of the continuing surge in Covid-19 cases, the Punjab government decided on Monday to reimpose a number of restrictions to halt the spread of the virus.
Chief Minister Usman Buzdar presided over a meeting to review the worsening Covid situation and decide on whether or not to impose a blanket lockdown in cities having higher Covid-19 positivity rate.
According to details, the meeting decided to ban wedding ceremonies, including both indoor and outdoor, from April 1. It further decided that markets and shopping malls across the province will close at 6pm. The Orange Line Metro Train and Metro Bus services will also be closed at 6pm.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan said on Monday that provinces were free to import Covid-19 vaccines.
Taking to Twitter, the SAPM said that ” there is no NOC requirement or any NOC pending or bar for any provincial government to procure coronavirus vaccines.”
He said that the federal government was ready to provide any facilitation to provinces if needed in the procurement of vaccines.
“There is no NOC requirement (or any NOC pending) or bar for any provincial govt to procure any reg’d vaccine if they are able to. Any facilitation needed will be provided,” he added.
Dr Faisal Sultan further said that PTI-led federal government has procured vaccines and will continue to more Covid vaccine doses for all Pakistani citizens.
“The federal government has procured & will continue to procure COVID vaccine for all Pakistanis,” he added.
