The Punjab home ministry has imposed Section 144 (power to issue order absolute at once in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the Code of Criminal Procedure in the province as part of the administration's measure to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading.

According to a notification, issued by Punjab Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Momin Agha, the following actions are prohibited in the province for three weeks:

• Hoarding of hand sanitisers

• Opening of educational institutions and marriage/banquet halls

• Holding examinations

• Religious congregations and ceremonies

• Festivals

• Public/private sports festivals

• Any public gathering