LAHORE: The Punjab government on Monday announced a province-wide two-week closure of non-essential services and markets from Tuesday (today)

“During this time shopping malls, public transport, public places and tourist spots will remain closed. In the larger interest of the public, we have also banned pillion riding,” Chief Minister Usman Buzdar told media through a video link after a meeting of the cabinet committee on coronavirus, says a handout.

He said factories producing necessary products and eatables, medicines, medical equipment and other necessary items, pharmacies, groceries, fruit markets, bakeries and meat shops would not be subject to the closure.

“I want to make it clear to you that this is neither a curfew nor a lockdown situation,” he said, adding: “All shopping malls, bazaars, markets, private and public sector institutions, public transport, parks, restaurants and tourist spots will remain closed for two weeks to check the spread of the virus.”

Ban on pillion riding: exemption for pharmacies, groceries, fruit and vegetable markets, bakeries, meat and milk shops

He said the government had also decided to impose a ban on pillion riding, with exemptions for members of law enforcement agencies and families. The chief minister said essential service providers like Wasa, Lesco and telecom companies would continue to work and Edhi and other welfare organizations were also permitted to continue with their operations.

Answering a question, he said a committee headed by finance minister would present its recommendations to ameliorate the economic difficulties of daily-wage earners in the cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday (today).

He again clarified that it was not curfew or lockdown situation but a step to maintain social distancing. He said doctors, as well as paramedical staff were frontline soldiers and a decision about their package would be made in the cabinet meeting.

The chief minister announced that line departments would perform their duties in case of any violation as section 144 had been imposed in the province. He said out of a total of 246 coronavirus patients in Punjab, 171 were quarantined in DG Khan.

He thanked the people for abiding by the government appeal of staying indoors for two days, adding that it was the best way to avoid coronavirus. He also paid tributes to Pakistan Army, civil administration, medical staff and local bodies’ employees and media for performing their duties in this hour of trial.

To another question, he said that food items were available in abundance and there was no shortage and supply-chain of eatables would continue in Punjab.

CORPS COMMANDER: An important meeting was held at the CM Office under the chair of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Corps Commander Lahore Lt-Gen Majid Ehsan. It was also attended by GOC 10 Division Maj-Gen. Muhammad Aniqur Rehman Malik, GOC 11 Division Maj-Gen Muhammad Yousaf, DG Rangers Punjab Maj-Gen Muhammad Aamir Majeed, Chief Secretary, ACS (Home), health secretaries and others.

The meeting reviewed steps being taken to overcome the virus as well as the arrangements made for the treatment of patients. The participants agreed to employ every possible step for saving the lives of the people. It was decided that collective steps would be taken to ensure 100 per cent implementation on government steps.

Lt-Gen Majid Ehsan said that full cooperation would be extended to the Punjab government to deal with virus as it was a collective issue which needed joint efforts.

AWARENESS: The Punjab government has launched a province-wide mobile awareness campaign, ‘stay home, remain safe’ for safety from coronavirus on the instructions of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar who inaugurated this drive at a ceremony at the CM Office on Monday.

The CM disclosed that this campaign had been initiated in Lahore through a squad of 250 motorcycles and 50 rickshaws adding that a total of 850 motorcycles and 500 rickshaws would be engaged to create social awareness at union council level in the provincial metropolis.

This campaign will be run through 4130 motorcycles in the province and pamphlets will be distributed about precautionary measures, he added.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2020