Dozens of shops were sealed in Lahore for failing to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Officials from the district administration said that 45 shops in Shah Alam Market and seven shops in the Amar Sidhu area were closed for not following the SOPs including non-provision of hand sanitisers and failure to maintain social distancing.

Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat has said that legal action will be taken from Monday onwards against shopkeepers who violate the SOPs. He added that it was their responsibility to ensure the implementation of preventive protocols.