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Buzdar directs strict implementation of SOPs to control coronavirus spread

LAHORE: 15, MARCH, 2021: Chief Minister of Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar on Monday directed strict implementation coronavirus related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the province in an effort to control coronavirus spread.

According to sources, CM Usman Buzdar has ordered officials to ensure implementation of updated coronavirus precautionary measures, saying that "No compromise can be made on health of masses as it is government's top priority."

Police, local administration should enforce updated business hours, he added.

CM Buzdar further said that government is fully aware of difficulties being faced by the business community but government took necessary steps to stop the novel virus spread.

It is pertinent to mention here that, authorities have imposed a major lockdown in seven cities in Punjab for a period of two weeks which will be started from today (Monday) amid the ongoing 3rd wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision has been taken as part of precautionary measures to contain the spread of the novel virus in the province.

The affected areas include Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Gujrat.

According to the notification issued by the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, "There has been a constant increase in positivity percentage in Covid-19 cases in the province which poses a serious threat to public health."

According to the notification, all markets, shopping malls, restaurants, offices (public and private) in these areas would remain closed.

Ban on movement of people to and from these affected areas while public and private transport will also remain suspended in these areas. Complete ban on gatherings of all kinds for social, religious or other purposes at any place, public or private; marriage and banquet halls, community centres and marquees while a ban on indoor and outdoor dining whereas only takeaway and home delivery will be allowed.

There will be a complete shutter down on Saturdays and Sundays. However, bakeries, general stores, milk shops, meat and chicken shops, tandoors, fruit and vegetables shops and patrol pumps are exempted from these restrictions.

Medical stores, laboratories, clinics and hospitals in these areas will remain open for 24 hours. There will be a complete ban on all kind of sports, cultural and other activities and events throughout the province, the statement added.

The streets of affected areas have been closed with hurdles and deployment of police personnel.

The number of coronavirus cases has mounted to 607,453 on Monday after more infections were reported in different parts of the country.

According to the national database, 2,253 persons tested positive for the deadly virus in 24 hours.As per sources, cases in Sindh climbed to 261,411 the highest number so far in the country, while the confirmed infections tally in Punjab stood at 186,659, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cases jumped to 76,104, in Balochistan 19,220 cases reported, Islamabad Capital Territory covid-19 cases reached 48,081, Gilgit-Baltistan tally up to 4,961 while 10,816 cases were reported in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

In addition, the country has recorded 13,537 deaths so far, after 29 fatalities were reported over the last 24 hours.

As per official data, Punjab recorded 5,769 deaths, a highest number as compared to any other province while 4,458 in Sindh, 2,159 deaths were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 103 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 202 in Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory has reported 526 deaths and AJK recorded 317 deaths.

According to the NCOC, Pakistan has so far carried out 9,529,763 corona tests and 44,061 in last 24 hours and 571,878 patients have recovered. (04)