The Balochistan government on Tuesday extended the ongoing lockdown for 15 more days in view of the growing coronavirus cases across the province.
Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani said the coronavirus is spreading at an alarming rate and in order to stem the outbreak, effective measures such as social distancing and isolation should be practiced. He said that the provincial government has decided to extend the lockdown until May 19. “#COVID?19 rapidly spreading in #Balochistan. The only medicine & solution so far has proven to be #Isolation #SocialDistancing And #lockdown. Hence Balochistan Govt has decided to extend Lockdown for further 15 days till 19th May #Lockdownextention #lockdownpakistan,” he tweeted.
Shahwani said during the past two weeks, there has been a rapid increase in the number of local transmissions. “The ratio for the spread of local transmissions is 88 per cent,” he said, adding that because of this, the death rate is also rising. “Previously, our recovery rate was 55pc but it has declined for the past two weeks and is now 15pc,” he said, and urged the people to follow the standard operating procedures outlined by the government to control the spread of the virus. “If the people do not follow the guidelines, the government will be forced to take stricter measures,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the Balochistan health department on Tuesday decided to only test those citizens who are showing Covid-19 symptoms, due to a lack of testing capacity.
According to a statement released by the provincial health department, the Fatima Jinnah Laboratory has been closed for the public – the lab was the only facility where residents could get themselves tested for the respiratory illness. “Those suspected of having contracted the virus will only be tested after they have completed a mandatory 14-day quarantine period at home,” the statement said, adding that the decision has been taken due to a lack of testing capacity at the laboratory and the results of more than 2,000 tests have already been delayed.
Meanwhile, amid a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in the province, the Punjab government has decided to further ease the lockdown, a private TV channel reported. The decision was made during a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Tuesday.
The TV channel reported that the restrictions will be relaxed from May 9, and that shops selling iron pipes, steel, spare parts, machinery and electrical items will be allowed to do business. Glass manufacturers and shops selling construction and textile material will also be granted permission to resume operations. Besides, cloth shops will be allowed to operate for a period of six hours from the 15th of Ramazan. The government has also decided to open parks, but clarified that mechanical swings and slides will remain closed. It will be mandatory for all businessmen and traders to strictly follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to avert the spread of virus. A formal announcement with regard to relaxation of the lockdown will be made on May 9.
In a major development, the Pakistan Railways on Tuesday decided to partially resume its operation across the country from May 10. Pakistan Railways has finalized all preparations in this regard and will seek Prime Minister Imran Khan’s approval on May 8 for the restoration of train operations. Initially, 24 trains, including Tezgam, Awam Express, Khyber Mail, Green Line, Jaffer Express, Allama Iqbal, Sukkur Express, Millat Express and Pak-Business, will operate by following the social distancing protocols. Sixty percent booking of tickets will be made through an online system. CCTV cameras will be installed in coaches of all trains including the engine room.
