–As Lahore become Covid-19 hotbed, Punjab govt mulls reimposing lockdown owing to non-compliance of SOPs
LAHORE: Pakistan confirmed 31 more deaths from novel coronavirus in one day as the nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 834 and positive cases neared to 38,799 on Saturday.
According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 1,581 persons have been tested positive for Covid-19 in 24 hours.
Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
Till now 14,201 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Punjab, 14,916 in Sindh, 5,678 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 2,457 in Balochistan, 921 in Islamabad, 518 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 108 in Kashmir. The patients are under treatment at quarantine centers of 462 hospitals where 7,295 beds are available.
Pakistan has so far conducted 359,264 coronavirus tests and 14,878 in the last 24 hours. 10,880 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country whereas many are in critical condition.
Following the continuous violation of SOPs and precautionary measures by the traders, the Punjab government is considering closing various markets in Lahore.
According to sources, a high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. The meeting expressed serious concerns over the situation in the markets. Sources said that SOPs were being violated in markets and the proposal to close some markets immediately in being considered.
According to sources, the government may shut down Hall Road, Shah Alam Market, Anarkali, and Azam Market in Lahore, while there are also no security measures at Ichhra Bazaar, Township Bazaar, and other places.
Sources privy to the government said that the shops will be challaned in the first phase and then the shops will be sealed as SOPs do not seem to be implemented.
On Tuesday, the Punjab government had threatened to re-impose a lockdown if the businesses continue to flout SOPs issued by the government as a part of easing the restrictions imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Speaking at the LCCI, Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Mian Aslam Iqbal said that the actions of the traders are not pleasing and are affecting the efforts of the government to control the outbreak of COVID-19.
The minister said if traders continue to disregard the SOPs agreed on before easing the lockdown, Punjab government won’t think twice about re-imposing the lockdown. This time around, however, the lockdown will be stricter than the previous one.
Mian Aslam Iqbal said Lahore has become the centre of the coronavirus in Punjab and the locally transmitted cases of the virus are increasing the country, adding that the traders must show a sense of responsibility to avoid the lockdown reimposition.
He said the lives of people have been put on stake for a few rupees. “I am tired of advocating for traders, but they have crossed all limits,” he said and added the attitude of the responsible people is beyond comprehension.
The provincial minister appealed that children should not be allowed in the markets while guards should be posted in the shops and markets, adding that all shopkeepers should arrange hand sanitizers.
