LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to impose a complete lockdown in some areas of Lahore due to rising coronavirus cases, Health Minister Yasmin Rashid confirmed on Monday.
Addressing a press conference, the provincial minister announced that several areas of Lahore will be shut down at 12AM onwards from tomorrow. She added that areas that will experience a complete lockdown include Shahdra, Shad Bagh, Mazang, Harbanspura, Old Lahore, Nishtar Ground, and Lahore Cantt.
Meanwhile, some areas in Gulberg will also be closed completely and some societies in Iqbal Town and Nishatar Towen will also be closed as well. There are 388 cases reported in Johar Town and more than 200 cases in Wapda Town.
The minister clarified that food stores and pharmacies will remain open in these areas that will undergo a complete lockdown for at least two weeks. These areas will be reopened after the situation is assessed, she said.
She once again urged people to follow thestandard operating procedures to stop the spread of the virus, and added that the virus can be contained by half just by wearing a mask.
Punjab and Sindh remain the worst affected provinces of the country. The number of cases reported in Punjab have crossed over 54,000. Lahore is the worst affected city in Punjab with over 27,000 cases and the second-worst affected city in the country after Karachi.
The government has decided to impose a selective lockdown in parts of the country reporting a high number of cases rather than a complete lockdown. This comes among the stark warning that the number of coronavirus cases could peak by July and reach between 1-1.2 million by end of next month.
ADVERTISEMENT
