The Punjab government is likely to impose a complete lockdown in Lahore, with its entry and exit points sealed, amid a drastic surge in coronavirus cases across the city.
The cases in the city, as well as the province, are increasing at an alarming pace as people refuse to abide by the anti-coronavirus precautions. The positivity rate in Lahore crossed 20 per cent on Sunday, as the third wave intensified in the city. At leat 1,725 infections were reported in Lahore on Sunday.
According to Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, the positivity rate in Lahore had touched 21pc and in Punjab 14pc.
To contain the cases, the government also decided to impose fines and jail terms over non-compliance with the COVID-19 SOPs.
However, it seems these measures weren’t enough and a blanket lockdown is about to be imposed. A meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) will be held today that would be attended by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to make the decision in this regard
His information aide, Firdous Ashiq Awan, also hinted at a complete lockdown in the provincial capital. Firdous said that the government would penalise anyone failing to comply with the SOPs.
Meanwhile, all sorts of outdoor and indoor gatherings across the country have been banned. In a meeting on Sunday, the NCOC ordered a ban on these gatherings, such as all social, cultural, political, sports events, with immediate effect.
However, weddings, including both indoor and outdoor, will be banned from 5th April onward. The provinces will be at liberty to implement restrictions as per the situation on ground, the NCOC had said.
