LAHORE: The city district administration on Saturday intensified its ongoing crackdown on violators of Section 144 and the lockdown, and sealed the hotels and restaurants found functioning in various parts of the city.

According to a local administration spokesperson, the teams, led by the respective assistant commissioners, sealed over a dozen restaurants, including three on Bedian Road, for remaining open and flouting Section 144.

The teams also got several shopkeepers booked and arrested, including four from Madina Colony, for overcharging customers. Action was also taken against five chakki owners for selling wheat flour at a high price. Two grocery store managers were also arrested in Model Town.

LDA: Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General Ahmad Aziz Tarar has directed to continue and further improve the hand washing facilities set up by the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) at 20 locations in the city by parking water tankers at these spots.

Chlorinated water is being supplied through tankers for promoting hand washing among the public to avoid contracting coronavirus. “Wasa must ensure provision of clean drinking water to the people of Lahore. Moreover, all chlorinated water tankers must be parked at accessible places for washing hands,” Mr Tarar said in a press release on Saturday.

He also asked for launching of immediate post-rain operation for quick drainage of storm water to maintain cleanliness.

RAILWAYS: Pakistan Railways on Saturday set up a quarantine centre at its Cairns Hospital here in Lahore.

The centre consists of 15 beds, according to an official.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2020