The roads were empty and the usually bustling markets and bazaars were devoid of customers as cities across Pakistan went under complete or partial lockdowns on Tuesday to help control the spread of coronavirus.
- People can only leave their house for one of four reasons in major lockdown
- Reasons are for food, medicine, daily exercise or work if 'absolutely necessary'
The only significant presence on the streets was of security personnel, who ensured people do not come out of their homes in groups. Parks and public places were closed as municipal workers disinfected streets.
In Multan and other South Punjab cities like Muzaffargarh, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran,Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sadiqabad, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur,Bahawalnagar,Burewala,Mailsi,Kotadu, Layyah, Bhakkar where a sweeping lockdown came into effect Sunday midnight, Army and police held a flag march to reinforce the restrictions.
Government has,last night imposed an unprecedented virus lockdown and told everyone in the country they 'must stay at home' to slow the spread of coronavirus as he set out just four instances when people can go outside.
Describing the crisis as a national emergency, it ordered families to stay in their homes except in special circumstances.
All 'non-essential' shops will be closed and public gatherings of more than four or five people and pillion riding banned.
Official sources said the measures will be 'under constant review' and will be considered for relaxation in two weeks' time if the evidence allows.
He said that ' prime minister Imran Khan does not wants to enact measures like this' as he reminded the public of the support programme to aid ailing businesses and struggling individuals.
But he said the drastic new measures allowing people to only leave home for the 'very limited purposes' were necessary to slow the spread of the disease.
'To put it simply, if too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it - meaning more people are likely to die, not just from coronavirus but from other illnesses as well,' he added.
What are the four reasons that Britons can leave their homes?
- shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible;
- one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household;
- any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person;
- travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.
Even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are six feet (two metres) apart from anyone outside of your household.
Official spokesman said on Monday (March 23) the country has moved into its highest alert level, with all non-essential services, schools and offices to be shut over the next 14 days .The move means , cafes, restaurants and cinemas will be shut. Fruit & vegetable markets and pharmacies will remain open, official said, adding that the country was well supplied.All schools have already been closed from last week.“We are all now preparing to go into self isolation as a nation,” he said in a news conference, adding that many Pakistanis could die without these measures.“These decisions will place the most significant restriction on the people movements in modern history,” he said. “This is not a decision taken lightly. But this is our best chance to slow the virus and to save lives.”
