In a preemptive move to curb the spread of the covid-19 during Eidul Azha, Punjab will be put under ‘smart lockdown’ from midnight tonight till August 5.
The step is to maintain the gains made to contain the spread of virus as Punjab reported zero deaths during the last 24 hours. That has happened for the first time in the last two months. The daily coronavirus cases in the province have also remained below 500 during the last one week.
The covid-19 smart lockdown was announced by the ‘most immediate’ letter issued by Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department that says all markets across the province will be closed from midnight tonight till August 5 and later announced by the provincial information minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan on Monday.
“All educational and training institutes, marriage halls, business centers, expo halls, restaurants, theme/amusement parks, play areas and arcades, beauty parlors and spas, cinemas and theatres will remain closed”.
“There shall be a complete ban on sporting tournaments/matches (indoor and outdoor) except non-contact professional sports without spectators. All contact sports and indoor sports clubs/facilities shall remain closed.”
The letter adds that there will also be a complete ban on gatherings of all kinds for social, religious, or any other purpose at any place, public or private.
“All retail shops, markets, shopping malls and plazas shall remain closed,” the notification said.
All business and commercial centers in Punjab will remain closed till August 5,” the minister said in his statement.
Exceptions during the Punjab covid-19 smart lockdown
However, exceptions were made for some, including petrol pumps, pharmacies postal services, and home delivery/takeaway for restaurants, which will be allowed to operate for 24 hours.
Grocery stores, bakeries, corner shops, fruit and vegetable shops, meat and milk shops and tandoors will be allowed to operate from 6am to 12am while inter-city and inter-district public transport will be allowed to operate round-the-clock.
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