Pakistan to lockdown 25 cities from May 2

ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) sent a letter to ministries and administrations for a lockdown in May.

The letter said there was an interim plan for lockdowns in districts and cities with more corona cases. The two-week lockdown will take effect on May 2 or 3

The third wave of corona virus hit the country, killing another 201 people, the highest number of daily deaths from corona virus in the country.

Lockdown will be imposed in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Hyderabad, Lower Dir, Mardan, Nowshera, Malakand, Charsadda, Swat and Swabi.

The letter also said that consultations were also held on put in lockdowns in Muzaffarabad, Sadhnauti, Poonch and Bagh.

Appropriate measures have been directed to prevent the spread of corona in the respective cities.

A press release issued by the ministry announced that the NCOC had decided to ban tourism from May 8-16.

“Closure of tourist resorts, public parks and hotels in/around tourist spots will remain closed,” reads the press release. The NCOC announced ban on inter-provincial and inter-city transport will also remain during the Eid holidays however, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan will be allowed to travel back to their areas during the holidays.

The Interior Ministry said all tourist resorts, public parks, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and transport will also remain closed for the public. “Travel nodes leading to tourist spots (will also remain) closed; focus on (the areas of) Murree, Galiyat, Swat-Kalam, Sea View/beaches and the Northern Areas (will remain),” stated the press release.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in cabinet meeting on Tuesday indicated that the government might go for complete lockdown in coronavirus-hit cities and stressed the need for smooth supplies of food items during lockdown.