LAHORE: The Punjab government on Monday annou­n­ced reopening of schools acr­oss the province, except Lahore and Multan divisions, from Tuesday (today) in the wake of improvement in air quality.

After smog situation got worse on Nov 6, the Punjab government had announced the closure of all educational institutions in 18 districts from Nov 7 to 17. Last week, it closed the schools across the province till Nov 24.

However, the situation im­­p­roved during the last three days in the province with the change in wind dir­e­ction. Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) also showed a slight improvement as it dropped out of the hazardous category on Sunday for the first time in 12 days. The meteorologists predicted a further decrease in smog intensity in the coming days.

The maximum AQI in Lahore was recorded at 495 (ha­z­ardous) at 8am on Mon­day. The situation remained comparatively better during the rest of the day and lowest AQI was recorded at 151 at 4pm.

A notification issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), available with Dawn, states: “The ambient air quality has improved in most districts of Punjab due to rain in upper parts of Punjab, change in wind direction and speed. Therefore, all the educational institutions, except Lahore and Multan divisions, shall be opened with effect from Nov 19 (Tuesday) with physical presence of students/staff”.

It specified four restrictions to be followed by the schools, including wearing of face masks by all students and staff as well as not opening educational institutions before 8:45am. There would be a ban on all outdoor activities until Nov 24, with a complete prohibition on construction activities in Multan and Lahore until the same date.

Except the schools, all restrictions in Punjab would remain intact, including those on outdoor dining, closure time of markets and shopping malls and use of furnace oil. Parks, zoos, historical sites, playlands and museums will also remain closed until Nov 24.

Meanwhile, in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Gujranwala, 50pc attendance restriction in private and public offices has been extended until Jan 31.

Due to fog in various parts of Punjab on Monday, the motorways remained closed at several points, including M4 from Abdul Hakeem to Multan, M5 from Multan to Sukkur, and M11 from Lahore to Sialkot.

The Punjab School Education Department directed the chief executive officers of district education authorities to ensure compliance of the directions.

After a significant reduction in air pollution in Lahore, the city’s business community demanded the government restore the operating hours of markets and bazaars.

The traders from Shah Alam, Urdu Bazaar, Hall Road and Gulberg and other markets called on the president of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mian Abuzar Shad, and presented their demand to be put forward to the government.

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also announced reopening of educational institutions in districts outside Lahore and Multan divisions.

However, she emphasized that stringent measures were necessary to safeguard public health.

“Children’s education is vital but [their] health cannot be compromised,” she said.

The minister also expressed gratitude to the public, EPA, police, district administration, and other relevant departments for their cooperation and commended all stakeholders’ efforts in this regard.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2024