Punjab Govt to shut markets, shopping malls before Eid ul Azha

LAHORE: The Government of Punjab has decided to shut all markets and shopping malls in the province two to three days before Eid ul Azha to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

According to sources, Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar has ordered that a smart lockdown be imposed in the province on Eid ul Azha on the recommendation of the Punjab Chief Secretary to shut all markets and shopping malls in the province.

However, cattle markets and essential services like grocery stores, medical stores, fruits and vegetable shops, milk shops and tandoors will remain open during the smart lockdown.

A notification in this regard will be issued soon. Furthermore, strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) are to be implemented at cattle markets across the province.

The Punjab Government had earlier been using the smart lockdown at hotspot locations throughout the province and it has proved beneficial as coronavirus cases have declined in the province.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authorty (PDMA), the province only recorded 210 new cases on 26 July 2020 along with 3 fatalities which shows the coronavirus situation has significantly improved.

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