Punjab has decided to close all its shops and markets by 5pm to intensify the lockdown to curb the coronavirus spread in the province. The decision was taken by CM Usman Buzdar. All shops and markets have been instructed to operate from 9am to 5pm. This restriction, however, won’t be placed on medical stores and pharmacies.
The Punjab government has completely locked down Raiwind over fears that the coronavirus may spread from there. The Raiwind Tablighi Centre has been declared a quarantine centre for foreigners. Multiple members of the Tablighi Jamaat have tested positive for the coronavirus, with 94 cases being confirmed in Sindh, 32 in Punjab and 16 in Islamabad. Members of the Jamaat are being tested.
Punjab is all set increase its coronavirus testing capacity to 2,500 test per day by Thursday (April 2), revealed Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid. She further added that the government is utilising the lockdown to increase the number of hospitals in the province and also shared the aim of the ministry to bring the figure to 5,000 tests per day in order to identify more people.
Chairman and Printer Publisher Jang Group, Mir Javed-ur-Rahman passed away on Tuesday. He was the eldest son of Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman, and brother of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. Mir Javed-ur-Rahman was being treated at a private hospital in Karachi. According to the hospital, he was suffering from lung cancer and was in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.
Sindh police has launched “Citizen Monitoring App” in its attempt to ensure curfew in the province to put reins on the spread of the novel coronavirus. The app is designed to keep tabs on citizens roaming around the city and will be installed on mobile phones used by officers deputed at police checkpoints. So far, around 500 officials have been given access to the application.
A Baloch journalist Sajid Hussain has been missing since March 2 in Uppsala city of Sweden and his whereabouts are unknown yet. Swedish Police have also been informed about Hussain’s disappearance. Law enforcement agencies have been probing his disappearance and will give his family further details on the completion of the investigation. However, Hussain’s family and friends are showing concerns regarding Swedish authorities’ slow progress in locating his whereabouts
The Edhi and Chhipa morgues have shut down in Karachi over fears of spreading the coronavirus. According to the Chhipa Welfare Organisation, their morgue has been closed for an indefinite period of time. The facilities for ghusal and burial are not going to be available either. The organisation has appealed to people not to bring bodies to the morgue as there is a threat of the coronavirus spreading via the bodies.
The Sindh government is going to be paying daily wage labourers who are out of work due to the coronavirus lockdown through a mobile wallet application. The money will be given against their CNIC number and people will be able to get their money by showing their ID card and phone at mobile shops. Requests for registration are being submitted and the government has asked NADRA, the FIA, FBR and State Bank for help verifying them.
Punjab government introduced the Punjab Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Ordinance, 2020 reinforcing coronavirus security measures. According to the law, any private hospital or practitioner in Punjab can be ordered to treat coronavirus patients and anyone knowing about a potential patient has to inform certified medical officer immediately. Burial and transportation of these patients has to be carried out under restricted provisions.
Pakistan has decided to keep its borders with Iran, Afghanistan and India closed for another two weeks as it stepped up efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf announced the decision but added that the government could give special waivers for flights if a country requests to evacuate its stranded citizens in Pakistan.