ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday began enforcing strict lockdowns in coronavirus-hit areas in 26 cities across the country as the national positivity rate soared to 11.2 percent and the South Asian nation of 220 million recorded over 4,000 new infections for a fourth consecutive day.
The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), the federal body dealing with the pandemic response, announced lockdowns in several parts of Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Multan, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Peshawar, Swat, Nowshera, among other areas.
At least 4,525 new infections were reported in the past 24 hours – a record this year – taking the total tally to infections to 659,116, with 14,256 deaths since February last year.
Meanwhile, President Dr. Arif Alvi announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for the coronavirus:
The chief minister of Pakistan’s largest and most populous province of Punjab announced on Monday that from April 1, lockdowns would be enforced in all districts with a COVID-19 positivity rate of more than 12 percent.
"The lockdown will continue till April 11," CM Usman Buzdar told media, adding that the deadline would be assessed after seven days. "Compared to the first two phases, the third phase [of the coronavirus] is much more intense. Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Multan have more positive cases."
Buzdar, however, said the provincial government would not impose restrictions on economic activities or industries: "Construction, transport, goods and industrial sectors will continue to operate as per regular according to standard operating procedures [SOPs].”
Buzdar said there would be a complete ban on wedding functions and other gatherings in the province and public transit transport systems like the Orange Line Metro Train and the Speedo bus service would be shut down. Only takeaway and home delivery would be allowed at restaurants, parks would remain closed, shops and markets would shut two days a week, and on five days operate only until 6pm.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had ruled out a nationwide lockdown.
“We cannot close down our factories and businesses,” he said before calling on the public to follow safety measures. “I request everyone to be very cautious and, most importantly, wear masks. Masks are important because they reduce the spread of disease."
Pakistan last imposed a strict nationwide lockdown in March last year to contain the spread of the outbreak but began easing restrictions in phases as early as mid-April – a move pushed primarily by fears of an economic meltdown. By August, all businesses had resumed regular activity.