LAHORE: Punjab government on Monday decided to close markets violating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in view of the growing number of coronavirus cases in the province.
These important decisions were taken at a meeting of the Punjab Cabinet Committee to Combat Coronavirus. In the meeting, the provincial government approved important measures to curb coronavirus.
Provincial Minister for Commerce Mian Aslam Iqbal said the committee reviewed the situation of epidemic in the province and approved measures. Due to the increasing number of positive cases of coronavirus in the province, decision to take important steps have been made.
He said that smart lockdown would be extended from micro to neighborhood and society level.
The minister while issuing stern instructions to the citizens and warned that the market, bazaar, office and wedding hall where masks will not be made mandatory will be closed.
Earlier today, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) was apprised that COVID-19 positivity ratio was rapidly increasing nationwide which was 4.5 percent prevailing in the country amid 15 major cities having higher positivity ratio.
The NCOC meeting discussed in length recent surge in Covid-19 positivity ratio and recent enforcement measures post National Coordination Committee (NCC) meeting.
The Chief secretaries of provinces updated the forum on administrative measures implemented as per the fresh guidelines issued by the NCOC in higher positivity ratio cities in their respective provinces.
The Chief Secretaries briefed the Forum on their initiatives particularly administrative measures and enforcement efforts regarding face mask wearing and arrangements for outdoor weddings’ modalities to ensure compliance of fresh health guidelines.
The Forum noticed that positivity ratio in major cities was increasing rapidly as Hyderabad was having highest positivity ratio in Pakistan with 16.59 percent positivity ratio, Gilgit 15.38 percent, Multan 15.97 percent, Muzafarabad 14.12 percent, Mirpur 11.11 percent , Peshawar 9.69 percent, Quetta 8.03 percent, Islamabad 7.48 percent, Karachi 7.12 percent, Lahore 5.37 percent and Rawalpindi 4.63 percent.
The Forum was informed that 4,136 Micro smart lockdowns were in place across Pakistan.
The test, trace and quarantine (TTQ) strategy was being used for disease control and prevention of COVID-19 spread, the Forum was told.
The Forum was also informed that recent health guidelines would remain enforce in 16 major cities till 31 Jan 2021.
Around 2,811 oxygenated beds were included to the existing number of the beds to ramp up hospitals’ capacity, along with this, over 13,000 oxygen cylinders were issued to various provinces and federating units.
The NCOC appreciated efforts of provinces for taking prompt and necessary measures in line of health guidelines for public safety and well being.
