“We cannot control the pandemic without help of the masses”, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said in a presser after a cabinet committee meeting on Monday for reviewing prevailing situation in the province.
Amid threatening third wave of coronavirus, the Punjab government rigidified restrictions across the province and decided to impose an effective lockdown in districts with over 12% covid-19 positivity rate to curb the contagion.
Meanwhile, the Punjab health department and the district administration have prepared recommendations for a complete lockdown.
News360 correspondent Danial Rathore surveyed the provincial capital Lahore and took views of the citizens on new restrictions.
Most of the people in Lahore were witnessed without facemasks or observing social distancing protocols at public places despite deteriorating situation.
The business activities were underway in the provincial capital as routine and visitors, as well as traders, flouted all precautionary guidelines.
“Hospital beds are full and ventilators are no more available, people should be careful”, said a citizen while talking to News360.
However, another citizen was of the view, “We need to feed our families on daily basis, the government should look after economic conditions as well”.
Punjab is the worst-hit province in Pakistan with a positivity rate jumping past 11% on Monday.
As per data by National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 40,369 coronavirus tests were conducted in the last 24 hours out of which 4,525 turned out positive, taking the national positivity ratio to 11.21%.
As per sources, 2,823 new coronavirus cases have been reported in Punjab during the past 48 hours taking the total tally to 212,918.
The overall situation in Lahore is alarming as the death count with the latest spike in cases is the worst-stretch of the pandemic to date.
As per sources, Mayo Hospital, one of the largest state-owned health facilities in Lahore, has capacity of 325 beds in its isolation ward of which 253 were occupied until Sunday.
Fresh Restrictions
The revised restrictions were announced by Usman Buzdar at a presser after a cabinet committee meeting on Monday for reviewing prevailing situation in the province amid pandemic.
Briefing the media, Buzdar urged the masses to show a responsible attitude and follow SOPs devised by the health authority.
Under new restrictions to control the rapidly rising covid cases in Punjab, bans have been imposed on all wedding functions, sports, and cultural activities.
Markets and shopping malls have been directed to close at 6 pm and to remain entirely closed on weekends.
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All intracity public transport including Orange Line Train and Metro Bus Service to remain suspended in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Sheikhupura.
On the other hand, President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi and Defence Minister Pervez Khattak tested positive for coronavirus, almost 10 days after Prime Minister Imran Khan.
وازا مرضت فھوا یشفین
اور جب میں بیمار ہوتا ہوں تو وہی شفا دیتا ہے
I have tested positive for Covid-19. May Allah have mercy on all Covid affectees. Had 1st dose of vaccine، but antibodies start developing after 2nd dose that was due in a week. Please continue to be careful.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) March 29, 2021
It is pertinent to mention that the president attended Pakistan Day parade with a mass gathering held on March 25.