COVID-19: Markets across Punjab to be closed from midnight till August 5

LAHORE: Markets across Punjab will close from midnight tonight till August 5 in line with the government's measures to stem the spread of coronavirus during Eid-ul-Azha, provincial information minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan announced on Monday.

"All business and commercial centres in Punjab will remain closed till August 5," the minister said in his statement.

According to a notification by the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, “All educational and training institutes, marriage halls, business centres, expo halls, restaurants (except takeaway and home delivery), theme/amusement parks, public parks, play areas and arcades, beauty parlours and spas, cinemas, theatres shall remain closed.”

The notification added there would be a complete ban on sporting tournaments/ matches (indoor and outdoor) except non-contact professional sports without spectators.

“All contact sports and indoor sports clubs/facilities shall remain closed,” it said.

It further stated, “There shall also be a complete ban on gatherings of all kinds for social, religious, or any other purpose at any place, public or private.”

All retail shops, markets, shopping malls and plazas shall remain closed except for medical services and pharmacies/medical stores, tire puncture shops, atta chakkies, postal/courier services, driver hotels, petrol pumps, oil depots, LPG outlets and filling plants, agriculture machinery workshops and spare parts shops, printing press, call centres (with 50% staff and no public dealing), takeaway/home Delivery from restaurants (24 hours a day).

Grocery stores, bakeries, kiryana stores, fruit and vegetable shops along with chicken, meat and milk shops to remain open from 6am to 12am, while inter-city and inter-district public transport will remain operational 24 hours a day.

Traders reject orders

However, trade organisations of Lahore have rejected the government's orders and said that they would open the markets.

They were speaking to media after an emergency meeting called to discuss the latest government directives.

Trader leader, Tariq Javed, said: "Traders reject tomorrow's lockdown," adding that all markets would open and safety measures would be ensured.

"Problems will arise if the government tried to stop us forcibly," he added.

Mirza urges masses to follow SOPs on Eid

A day earlier, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza had advised people to be cautious of the coronavirus and observe the safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) during Eid-ul-Azha.

Addressing a news conference, he had urged people to book sacrificial animals online so that they can avoid visits to the cattle markets where large gatherings can contribute to the spread of the virus.

Read more: Eid ul Adha 2020: Guidelines for prevention of coronavirus

Dr Mirza had said that the government had prepared in advance for Eid-ul-Azha keeping in mind the violation of SOPs that took place during Eid-ul-Fitr earlier. He added that citizens are not allowed to set up cattle markets inside city premises this time.

"Children, the elderly and the sick should not be taken to the cattle markets and people should try to make collective sacrifices this time," he added.

Mirza had also underscored that the citizens should abide by the issued guidelines to perform Eid prayers to stem the spread of the contagious disease.