Lockdown will be easyed in a phased manner : CM Usman Buzdar

Lahore : Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that the decision to ease lockdown in a phased manner has been taken with collective consultations and unanimous decisions have also been taken in order to bring ease and facilitation in the lives of common man. Punjab government has taken decisions with unanimity with the federal government and other provinces, he added.

Usman Buzdar apprised that a decision has been taken to allow functioning of industries linked with construction and concerned shops. He further maintained that permission will also be granted to open more industries and concerned businesses.

CM highlighted that industries comprising of pipe mills, ceramics, sanitary wares, paints, electrical cables, switch boards, steel, aluminium and other shops will also be allowed to operate. Hardware stores will also be opened and it has been decided to open small markets and small shops across the province, he stated.

CM maintained that small markets and small shops will remain open from early Fajar time till 5 pm in the evening. He further underscored that small markets and small shops getting opened will remain closed for two days in a week.

CM stressed that two days enforcement of closure will not be applied on the already opened pharmacies, medical stores, milk shops, karyana stores, tandoors, bakeries and other shops. CM further disclosed that it has also been decided to open OPDs of hospitals.

Usman Buzdar apprised that it has also been decided with consensus that educational institutions will remain closed till 15^th July and examinations of boards have also been cancelled and promotions of students in 9^th, 10th, 11^th and 12^th grades will be done on the basis of previous year’s result.

CM urged the masses and citizens to fully cooperate with the government in the perspective of its decision to ease lockdown. Usman Buzdar emphasized that we have to safeguard lives of the people of the province and also have to resolve problems of common man.

CM exhorted the masses to implement all SOPs laid down by the government as it is their fundamental responsibility. As much as the citizens show responsibility, the more they will be saved from contracting coronavirus, concluded CM Usman Buzdar.