'Smart lockdown' imposed on seven cities.

LAHORE -- As per directions from the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) on Tuesday, the Punjab government decided to partially impose 'smart lockdown' on seven of its major cities - Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Gujrat - to arrest sharp increase in infections.

Lockdown in Lahore started immediately (Tuesday midnight) whereas other six cities will follow the suit by Wednesday (today) midnight. Police would be deployed at the entry and exit points of the areas to be placed under restrictions while Army and Rangers would be on standby.

Dozens of localities in Lahore have been placed under restrictions. The entire Phase-1 and Phase-5 of the DHA, major areas of Gulberg (B1, B2, B3, A3), Johar Town (B, G3, J2 blocks,) Wapda Town (F2 and G blocks), entire Askari-10, parts of Cavalry Ground, Qila Gujjar Singh, Canal View (B Block), Daroghawala, localities falling on the back side of the Lahore General Hospital, Gulistan Colony and scores of smaller localities spread across the city would face the lockdown.

Explaining the reasons, Punjab Health Minister Yasmin Rashid had told the media on Monday that more than 300 confirmed cases of Covid-19 had been recorded in each of these areas - indicating a sharp spike.

Areas in six cities to come under restrictions tonight

Ms Rashid further explained that pharmacies, tandoors and dairy shops would stay open in these areas and so will factories making personal protective equipment (PPEs).

'The areas will face lockdown for at least two weeks and then we will observe the results,' she had said.

The NCOC issued directions regarding lockdown in 20 cities across the country, including seven of Punjab and the provincial government followed the instructions by evening and decided to partially shut the localities down in its seven cities. For deciding which areas would undergo restriction, the chief secretary said the deputy commissioners have been empowered to decide, considering local realities.

The orders for lockdown and strict implementation of SOPs were issued by Chief Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik on Tuesday evening, saying the list of affected areas would be released to the media before the lockdown for the guidance of the people and the services of the Tiger Force would be taken to help the people affected by the lockdown.

He said civil and police officers would have to work together to implement SOPs for the prevention of coronavirus, adding that 3,000 police...