LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced to impose complete lockdown for nine days across Punjab from Tuesday (today) to 5th of August. A notification in this regard was issued on Monday with the approval of chief minister Punjab.

According to the notification, there will be no ban on inter-city and inter-districts public transport.

"All education and training institutions, marriage halls, business centres, expo centers, restaurants (except takeaway and home delivery), amusement parks, public parks, play areas and arcades, beauty parlours and spas, cinemas and theatres shall remain closed."

The notification further says: "There shall be a complete ban on sporting tournaments, matches (indoor and outdoor). All contact sports and indoor sports clubs facilities shall remain closed." It further reads that "there shall also be a complete ban on the gathering of all kinds for social, religious, or any other purpose at any place."

The notification also exhibits that "all retail shops, markets, shopping malls and plazas shall remain closed." It further says that all medical services and pharmacies, tyre puncture shops, atta chakkies, postal and courier services, driver hotels, petrol pumps, oil deports, LPG outlets, agriculture machinery workshop and spare parts shops, printing press, call centres with 50% staff with no public dealing, takeaway from restaurants will be allowed and grocery stores, bakeries and karana stores, fruit and vegetable shops, chicken meat and milksops, tandoor shall remain open.

This order shall remain in force across Punjab with effect from Monday midnight, 12.00AM July 28 to August 5th 2020 unless modified otherwise.

Meanwhile, Provincial Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs Raja Basharat has said that the purpose of the lockdown is to defeat Covid-19.

He was addressing a meeting of the cabinet committee on anti-corona held under his chairmanship here on Monday.

Earlier, in a briefing of the health department, it was informed that the number of Corona victims in Punjab is declining. There has not been a single death from corona during the last 24 hours.

He said that this decision had been taken keeping in view the experience of Eid-ul-Fitr due to which the case of Corona had suddenly increased.

He warned that stern action would be taken against those who were causing artificial inflation on Eid.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020