LAHORE: The Punjab government on Monday imposed a fresh lockdown in the entire province for nine days directing closure of all retail outlets, markets, shopping malls and plazas to contain the spread of coronavirus on the occasion of Eidul Azha.

Considering ‘smart lockdowns’ in the province as a ‘success’ story, the government notified lockdown from Monday midnight to Aug 5 (Wednesday) midnight to fight against the spread of coronavirus that was witnessed on the occasion of Eidul Fitr.

The Eidul Fitr shopping spree had spiked infections in the province.

While the general lockdown was continuing and was to be ended on July 30, the Punjab primary and secondary healthcare department on Monday issued a fresh lockdown notification superseding the July 14 order.

The [lockdown] announcement, however, panicked almost everyone as people came out of their homes and rushed to markets and shopping plazas for last minute shopping. Almost all markets were seen crowded by the afternoon and traffic on most city roads jammed.

Buyers flood bazaars; traders fuming with anger; inter-city public transport allowed

The extraordinary rush in markets saw glaring violations of SOPs as people, including elderly and children, were seen running from one shop to another till midnight.

The traders’ organisations also got panicked and chided the government for closing their businesses, depriving millions of people of their livelihood despite the fact [as they say] they were observing all SOPs.

Anjuman Tajraan-i-Pakistan secretary general Naeem Mir said the sudden closure of markets, shopping malls and plazas would affect their businesses and added that the traders would continue protesting with their shops’ shutters open.

Explaining rationale for lockdown ahead of Eidul Azha, the Punjab government says the province is close to defeating Covid-19 and the number of coronavirus cases should not increase again. The health department says the number of [Covid-19] victims in Punjab is declining and there has not been a single death from the virus in the last 24 hours.

Since the Punjab government has also notified three Eid holidays from July 31 to Aug 2, the government has allowed operations of the inter-city and inter-district public transport round-the-clock.

The lockdown notification, however, does not mention about cattle markets timings and whether they would be closed down on the third day of Eid (Aug 3) or not.

It is learnt that the Punjab government has decided that the restaurants, recreational places and commercial theatres and cinemas will be reopened after Muharram. These places have been lying closed for the last four months. Punjab law minister Basharat Raja has, however, maintained that the government would recommend the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) opening of restaurants and hotels after Eidul Azha.

Through the latest notification issued under the Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) Ordinance 2020, the provincial government has directed closure of all retail shops, markets, shopping malls and plazas.

All educational and training institutes, marriage halls, business centres, expo halls, restaurants (except takeaway and home delivery), theme and amusement parks, public parks, play areas and arcades, beauty parlours and spas, cinemas, theatres shall remain closed.

The ban will continue to be enforced on all sporting tournaments/matches (indoor and outdoor) except non-contact professional sports without spectators. All contact sports and indoor sports clubs/ facilities shall remain closed.

There shall also be a complete ban on gatherings of all kinds for social, religious, or any other purpose at any place, public or private.

The notification says all medical services and pharmacies, tyre puncture shops, atta chakkis, post/courier services, driver hotels, petrol pumps, oil depots, LPG outlets and filling plants, agriculture machinery workshops and spare parts shops, printing press, call centres (with 50 per cent staff and no public dealing), takeaway/home delivery from restaurants will remain open round-the-clock.

The grocery stores, bakeries, fruit and vegetable shops, chicken, meat and milk shops, tandoors shall remain open from 6am to 12am.

Meanwhile, the chief minister has directed strict implementation of SOPs on the occasion of Eidul Azha prayers and sacrificial gatherings.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2020