Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Monday announced that shopping malls, bazaars, markets, private and public sector institutions, public transport, parks, restaurants and tourist spots will remain closed for two weeks throughout the province to contain spread of coronavirus.
While giving a briefing to media about the decisions made in a meeting of the cabinet committee on coronavirus, the chief minister said the decision has been made to shutdown shopping malls, bazaars, markets, public and private institutions, public transport, parks, restaurants and tourist spots from March 24 to April 6. However, he clarified that it is not a lockdown or some sort of curfew.
The Punjab government also decided to impose a ban on pillion riding, however, members of law enforcement agencies and families will be exempt from the ban, he said, adding that medical and grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, bakeries, mutton, chicken, meat and milk shops as well as pharmacies will remain open throughout the province. Similarly, industrial units manufacturing and supplying eatables, medicines, medical equipment and necessary items will not be closed down, he added.
The chief minister said essential service providers, including WASA, WAPDA and telecom companies will continue to work and Edhi and other welfare organisations will also be permitted to continue their work. To a question, he said a committee headed by provincial finance minister will present its recommendations to ameliorate economic difficulties of daily wage earners in the cabinet meeting to be held on Tuesday (today). Doctors as well as paramedical staff are the frontline soldiers and the decision about their package will also be made in the cabinet meeting, he maintained. The chief minister announced that line departments will perform their duties in case of any violation as Section 144 has been imposed in the province. He also thanked the people for abiding by the government appeal of staying homes for the last two days, adding that it is the best way to avoid coronavirus. He also paid tributes to Pakistan Army, civil administration, medical staff and local government employees and media for performing their duties in this hour of trial. To another query, he said that food items are available in abundance and that there is no shortage and supply chain of eatables will continue in Punjab. Provincial ministers Raja Basharat, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan, MPA Mussarat Jamshed Cheema and secretaries of information and health departments were also present.
