Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar took an aerial visit of Lahore, Sheikhupura and adjoining cities to inspect steps taken for the implementation of lockdown directives.
He inspected the closure of markets, commercial centres and the flow of traffic on different roads. He aerially viewed parks, grounds and stadiums in different cities. The CM also inspected industrial zones. He expressed satisfaction over the arrangements taken for prevention from coronavirus pandemic and lauded the role being played by the deputed personnel of Police, Rangers and Pak Army. The CM showed concern over traffic on some roads of Lahore city. He appealed to the citizens to follow the government’s instructions and restrict themselves to their homes. The government is paying special attention to protect the masses from this outbreak and they will remain safe by following the government’s instructions, he said.
Punjab government has extended the lockdown till 25 April under The Punjab Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Ordinance, 2020 as safeguarding the lives of the people is a top priority, he emphasized. He indicated that the necessary steps will continue to protect the lives of the people. He said that all the markets, shopping malls, restaurants, public and private offices and public transport will remain closed. Similarly, there will be a ban on holding religious congregations and social gatherings. Ban will remain imposed throughout Punjab for holding events, fairs, sports competitions and opening of gyms and snooker clubs, he added. Wedding halls, marquees, educational institutions, tuition centres and seminaries will remain close till April 25. He said the ban on holding examinations has also been extended. Notified government employees will be allowed to visit offices, he said. Pillion riding will remain banned in the province. Grocery stores, karyana shops, bakeries, opticians, pesticides, seeds and fertilizers shops, auto-workshops, agricultural machinery workshops and vendors will remain open from 9am to 5pm. Punjab government has decided to open low-risk industries and SOPs have also been formulated in this regard, the CM concluded.
Meanwhile, Usman Buzdar has given in-principle approval to provide direct financial aid to deserving families in Ramadan-ul-Mubarak and the decision has also been made that Ramadan Bazaars will not be established due to coronavirus situation in Punjab. This was decided in a meeting which held under the chair of CM at CM’s Office here on Thursday to review relief arrangements under Ramadan Package. The CM announced that needy families will be given financial aid under Ramadan Package and added that necessary procedure be devised at the earliest. The government wants to give relief to the maximum number of people and it has also decided not to establish Ramadan Bazaars, he said. He directed to take effective measures to stabilize the prices. He emphasized that no one will be allowed to create artificial price-hike and administrative measures will be utilized to provide essential items at the fixed rates. Unlawful increase in the rates of essential items will not be tolerated and the government will make every effort to provide relief to the people, he added. Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, Provincial Ministers Raja Basharat, Hashim Jawan Bakht, Chief Secretary, SMBR and others attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Usman Buzdar has announced to give one-month additional salary to doctors and other staff engaged in the treatment of coronavirus patients adding that this salary will be paid from 1st of April.
Addressing the meeting of cabinet committee for the eradication of coronavirus at his office here on Thursday, the CM reiterated that the heirs of an employee, died during the anti-corona drive, will be not be left alone; and if anybody dies, the heirs will be provided financial aid under martyrs package. The CM directed that governmental orders with regard to extension in lockdown be got implemented at any cost adding that no violation will be allowed. Out of 3232 coronavirus patients in Punjab, 550 have been recovered, he said. He emphasized the industries allowed to resume work will have to follow their SOPs and action will be initiated in case of any violation. He announced that four new labs have been raised which will be made functional in the next few days after approval from Punjab Healthcare Commission. Around 56 thousand testing kits are available in Punjab and more than 46 thousand people have been tested by the Punjab government, he told. The extension in lockdown has been made under the Punjab Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Ordinance, 2020 and every step was taken to protect the lives of the people. The meeting reviewed the coronavirus situation, availability of PPEs and other material and the precautionary measures in detail. Provincial Ministers Raja Basharat, Hashim Jawan Bakht, Chief Secretary, IG police, Commissioner Lahore, CEO Urban Unit, secretaries of health, finance, information departments attended the meeting from CMO through video link. Secretary Local Government participated from Civil Secretariat and secretaries of P&D, labour, industries, food departments and special secretary agriculture department attended the meeting from P&D Department. Chairman PITB participated from his office through video link.
