Shops in Punjab to be closed by 8pm amid coronavirus lockdown.

LAHORE -- In a bid to make the lockdown against spread of coronavirus in the province more effective, the government of Punjab has decided to only allow shops in the province to remain open from 8:00 am till 8:00 pm.

This was announced by provincial minister Raja Basharat in a press conference in which he said that currently, there was no shortage of goods in Punjab and the situation was relatively normal.

He announced that to keep movement of people to a minimum, shops will only be allowed to remain open till 8 pm.

The province is currently under partial lockdown with all government and private offices, shopping malls and recreational places closed down while pillion riding is also banned.

Only two persons have been allowed to go with the patient to hospitals or health care centers. Factories manufacturing and supplying eatables, medicines, medical equipment and necessary items will also remain open.

The officials of Health Ministry, security agencies and media houses have been exempted from this lockdown as no restrictions are...