The Punjab government has imposed a lockdown in Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad as cases of the coronavirus continue to increase across the country.
As per the notification, the lockdown has been imposed from Tuesday, August 3 and will remain in effect till August 31. The decision to reimpose restrictions was taken by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) after reviewing the worsening situation of the pandemic in the country.
As per the Punjab government's notification, market/business activities will be allowed to operate till 08:00 pm.
The provincial government has allowed to grant exemption to the following:
- Pharmacies/Medical stores, medical facilities and vaccination centers, petrol pumps, tandoors, bakeries, milk/dairy shops, food (24 hours a day)
- Takeaways and e-commerce/Courier/Postal services and utility services (Electricity, Natural Gas, Internet, Cellular Networks/Telecom, Call Centers, Media). Auto workshops, Oil Depots and all Kinds of Mandis including grain, fruit, cattle and vegetable mandis.
- All business and commercial activities will remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays, as these will be observed as "closed days". However, exemptions for the closed days are:
The Punjab government has banned indoor dining in its order, however, outdoor dining has been allowed till 10pm. The provincial government has allowed restaurants to provide customers with the takeaway service 24 hours a day
- Indoor weddings shall be banned w.e.f. August 8, 2021. Outdoor weddings shall be allowed with maximum 400 guests under strict COVID protocols.
- Timings for outdoor weddings shall be till 10:00pm.
- The Punjab government has ordered complete closure of shrines in the cities.
- There shall be complete closure of cinemas.
- A ban has been imposed on all types of indoor gatherings including cultural, musical/religious/miscellaneous events. However, outdoor gatherings shall be allowed for a maximum 400 individuals under strict COVID protocols.
- There shall be complete ban on contact sports, which include (Karate, Boxing, Martial Arts, Rugby, Water Polo, Kabaddi & Wrestling).
- All gyms shall remain open only for vaccinated individuals/members.
- Normal office working hours for public/private offices shall continue. However, attendance level is reduced from 100% to 50%.
- Maximum occupancy level of public transport has been reduced from 70% to 50%. Ban has now been imposed on all types of snacks being served to passengers during the journey by the transport services.
- Rail services shall continue to operate with 70% occupancy under strict COVID protocols.
- All amusement parks, water sports and swimming pools shall remain closed. However, public parks shall remain open under strict COVID protocols.
- Broader lockdowns with stringent enforcement protocols based on risk assessment shall continue.
- All citizens shall compulsorily wear masks in public spaces.
- Policy of controlled tourism for vaccinated individuals shall continue.
The Punjab government, in its notification, clarified that industrial and agricultural activities and establishments will remain exempt from the lockdown.