Balochistan govt extends lockdown for two weeks.

Byline: Saleem Shahid

QUETTA -- The Balochistan government on Tuesday extended lockdown across the province for another two weeks, keeping all inter-city and inter-province travel as well as shopping malls closed to prevent public gatherings in order to contain the spread of highly contagious coronavirus.

The home and tribal affairs department of the provincial government notified that the lockdown that was to end on May 5 would continue till 12noon on May 19.

The Balochistan government's move drew appreciation of Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, whose party rules in neighbouring Sindh. He endorsed the view that the 'only effective defence against coronavirus has proven to be isolation, social distancing and lockdown'.

The official notification maintained that there were sufficient grounds to proceed under Section 144 of the criminal procedure code that had been imposed in the province since March 20 and had been extended as an immediate preventive and speedy remedy to ensure public safety, conserve lives and maintain peace and tranquility in Balochistan.

Bilawal appreciates the move as effective defence against deadly virus

'All public gatherings, inter-city and inter-province travel and religious gatherings will continue to be banned. Shopping malls, restaurants, and markets will also stay closed; anyone found violating the movement restrictions will be charged under Section 144. It is mandatory to take all pragmatic and possible measures to contain and counter the further spread of coronavirus on the war-footings,' it said.

The notification added that only one person would be allowed per vehicle and two in case one of them was a patient or an elderly person.

However, as the government allowed motor workshops, auto parts shops and some other businesses to reopen under the SOPs during this period, the Central Anjuman Tajran Balochistan representing traders announced that they would also reopen their shops, shopping malls and other businesses after May 9.

Spokesman for the Balochistan government, Liaquat Shahwani, told a press conference that the government did not want to continue the lockdown considering the economic situation but it was done for the safety of public.

He said that the government had decided to make it mandatory for those not staying home to cover their faces. 'Anyone who violates this...

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