Daily Times

The Punjab government on Monday announced it was extending the existing restrictions in the province until April 14. “Public is requested to follow the guidelines issued by the government and ensure that they don’t leave home unless necessary,” the government spokesperson said.

According to a notification, the lockdown is being extended due to a rise in the number of cases in the province, which is alarming and highly dangerous for the health of the people. “It is mandatory to take all pragmatic and possible measures to contain and counter the further spread of coronavirus on war footings,” the notification said.

Coronavirus in Pakistan: Punjab follows Sindh’s lockdown strategy The notification further said that there were sufficient grounds to proceed under section 144 of “The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898”, as an immediate preventive and speedy remedy to ensure public safety, conserve lives and maintain peace and tranquillity in the province.

Punjab has reported the highest number of confirmed cases in the country, 1,493 and 15 deaths.

Chinese doctors advise Punjab to ensure lockdown for at least 28 days A day earlier, a team of Chinese doctors had recommended to Punjab chief minister to extend the lockdown for at least 28 days after the province reported more than 100 cases in a day. “Social distancing is the key to stop the spread of the virus and authorities should ensure lockdown for 28 days,” the experts recommended CM Buzdar. The experts, who have earlier worked in China’s epicentre Wuhan, told the officials to contain the virus as soon as possible. Coronavirus patient should be treated at quarantine centres or at hospitals rather than being kept at home,” they said, Briefing on the passive immunization method for COVID-19 treatment, they said in critical circumstances plasma treatment is proved useful. “Three anti-viral drugs have also been used successfully.” The experts also endorsed the SOPs of the Punjab government to contain the virus and for the treatment of patients and also shared their experiences with the provincial authorities during their posting in Wuhan.

Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has extended ban on inter-district public transport until April 12 as part of the initiatives taken for tackling the issue of coronavirus in the province.

The ban on public service vehicles was imposed initially for one week on March 22 that was extended in the wake of escalation in the transmission of COVID-19 and owing to immediate requirement of further preventive measures for social distancing.

The notification in this regard has been issued by the transport department of the province. It may be noted that on March 26, the provincial government had imposed Section 144 for 14 days in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) capital Peshawar in view of the coronavirus cases.