-The government would not impose a curfew or lockdown type situation, says Buzdar
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar on Monday announced that Section 144 would be imposed all across the province until April 6 to ensure public safety from coronavirus.
While briefing the media about the decisions made in the cabinet committee meeting regarding the novel coronavirus pandemic, the chief minister said that shopping malls, bazaars, markets, private and public sector institutions, public transport, parks, restaurants and tourist spots throughout the province would remain closed from March 24, 9 am to April 6, 9 am.
Provincial Ministers Raja Basharat, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan, Mussarat Jamshed Cheema MPA and secretaries of information and health departments were present on the occasion.
The CM warned that line departments would perform their duties in case of any violation as Section 144 was imposed in the province.
However, he clarified that it would not be lockdown or a curfew of sorts and assured that medical and grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, bakeries, meat and milk shops, as well as pharmacies, would remain open throughout the province.
“Similarly, industrial units manufacturing and supplying eatables, medicines, medical equipment and necessary items would not be closed down,” he added.
The Punjab government also imposed a ban on pillion riding; however, members of law enforcement agencies and families would be exempted from this ban.
The chief minister also said that essential service providers, including the Water And Sanitation Agency (WASA), (WAPDA) and telecom companies, along with Edhi and other welfare organisations, would be permitted to continue their work.
To a question, he replied that a committee headed by provincial finance minister would present its recommendations to ameliorate economic difficulties of daily wage earners in a cabinet meeting to be held on Tuesday.
He clarified that the government would not impose a curfew or lockdown type situation and that this step was being taken to maintain social distancing.
“Doctors, as well as paramedical staff, were frontline soldiers and the decision about their package would be made in the cabinet meeting,” he maintained.
To another question, he said out of a total of 246 coronavirus patients in Punjab, 171 were quarantined in DG Khan. He also thanked the people for abiding by the government appeal of staying homes for last two days, adding that it was the best way to avoid coronavirus. He also paid tributes to Pakistan Army, civil administration, medical staff and local bodies’ employees and media for performing their duties in this hour of trial.
To another query, he said that food items were available in abundance; there was no shortage and supply-chain of eatables would continue in Punjab.
