QUETTA: The Balochistan government has extended the lockdown in the province for another 15 days, despite a decline in Covid-19 cases during the last 15 days.

“The smart lockdown, which ended on July 31, now will continue till August 17 with the same SOPs announced by the authorities concerned,” an official notification issued by the Home and Tribal Affairs Department said on Monday.

It said to reduce Covid-19 cases in Quetta and other districts of Balochistan, the government had enforced the lockdown in the province for another 15 days.

During the lockdown, there should be a complete ban on gathering of 10 or more people, including sit-in and processions/rallies, it said.

Persons coming out in public places will have to wear a mask, or any other clothing piece.

Tandoor, dairy product shops, medical stores, blood bank and tailor shops will be allowed to be open 24 hours a day. Restaurants and hotels will remain open 24 hours only for home delivery and takeaway service.

All public and private educational institutions, including schools, colleges and universities of the province will remain close as per the directives of the federal government. Cinemas, farmhouses, wedding halls and picnic points will remain closed. All shopping malls, markets, shops remain functional till 7pm for seven days of the week, the notification said. This order will remain enforced in the province till August 17, 12 noon, it said.

However, the provincial government has issued SOPs with all orders about lockdown, the provincial government and other concerned institutions were unable to get SOPs implementeded. Traders, shopping malls and shopkeepers could be observed violating the SOPs and majority of the people did not wear face masks while coming out of their homes in the provincial capital.

“During Eid shopping and purchasing of sacrificial animals no one was found observing SOPs in the cattle markets and shopping malls,” it said.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2020