As the city grapples with an over 20 per cent of positivity rate, the Lahore administration has decided to shut down the city on the weekends — Saturday and Sunday — in a bid to contain the infections.
Commissioner Muhammad Usman said that all markets and businesses will remain closed in the city on these two days, adding that it will be a complete lockdown.
The commissioner said that medical stores, petrol pumps and vaccination centres will remain open during the weekends. “I would request citizens to buy items of necessary use today,” he said, adding that the government was taking this step to save lives.
On Thursday, the National Command and Operation Centre decided to curtail inbound passenger flights to Pakistan for a fortnight from May 5 in the wake of an alarming surge in coronavirus infections.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Thursday.
The government will review these restrictions on May 18.
The forum emphasised the need of “Stay Home, Stay Safe” strategy during Eid holidays.
In this regard, comprehensive guidelines on closure of markets (with exemptions), a ban on intercity and intracity public transport, and tourism have been issued to concerned ministries.
