Balochistan further extends COVID-19 lockdown till May 5

QUETTA: A lockdown has been extended in Balochistan till 5th May over a sharp increase in numbers of coronavirus cases in the province.

The Balochistan government approved the extension. The Home Department in this regard issued a notification that stated, “The provincial government ordered the shop owners and industries workers that have been allowed earlier to follow the prescribed standard operating procedures (SoP)s to prevent the COVID-19 from spreading.”

“Those who will violate the SOPs will have a First Information Report (FIR) registered against them,” the notification reads.

On the other hand, The Punjab government extended lockdown in the province till 25th April while deciding to immediately re-open the low-risk sectors by ensuring implementation of SOPs to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Earlier, the Balochistan government extended the COVID-19 lockdown till 21st April (today) to curb the spread of the epidemic. All shopping malls, public transport, bazaars, markets, parks, restaurants, and tourist-spots had been closed across the province to ensure the safety of the public.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan rose to 9,217. So far, 465 known COVID-19 cases have been reported in Balochistan along with 6 deaths. 

About 61 people have died of COVID-19 in Sindh, 45 in Punjab, 74 in KP, 03 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 03 in Islamabad.