Punjab govt decides to open shopping malls, allow public transport from May 18

• The shopping plazas will open for four days while automobile manufacturing units will operate seven days a week.
• The administration has advised the traders to use thermal gun scanning, sanitizers, gloves and face masks in a bid to curb spread of the virus.

(Karachi) In view of the prevailing economic conditions and to facilitate the masses, the Punjab government has decided to open shopping malls and allow public transport across the province from Monday (May 18).

As per details, shopping malls and car showrooms across the province will open for four days a week. The decision has been taken during a meeting of Punjab cabinet which was chaired by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

In addition, the government has also decided that automobile manufacturing units will also operate seven days a week. However, the provincial government has made it compulsory for all shopkeepers and traders to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The administration has advised the traders to use thermal gun scanning, sanitizers, gloves and face masks in a bid to curb spread of the virus.

The government warned the shopkeepers and traders to follow SOPs for the protection of the lives of the people and curb spread of the disease.

According to the SOPs issued by the government, shopkeepers will not cater to customers without face masks, while also ensuring that a distance of at least six feet was maintained between each person.

The regulations also prohibited physical contact, such as handshakes and other greetings, between workers and customers.

Earlier, the district administration and police sealed different markets and bazars in Lahore and other cities as traders and shopkeepers failed to follow SOPs set by the provincial government.

The market were sealed as the shopkeepers and buyers failed to follow SOPs in wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The police officials said that majority of the people, both sellers and buyers, were not wearing masks and gloves.

They said that the shops also lacked proper sanitization facilities which is compulsory under the set SOPs.