Coronavirus : Pakistan imposes partial lockdown to combat ‘Second Wave’

New Delhi : Amid a spike in coronavirus infection in Pakistan, the neighboring country on Wednesday announced a partial lockdown in many cities including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and the capital Islamabad. Apart from this, the government has also implemented strict Covid-19 rules. Under the rules, wearing masks has become imperative in many places, especially in public transport, markets and railway stations. According to the government notification, the new rules will be effective from October 29.

Partial lockdown in many cities of Pakistan
The authorities have also decided to close all commercial activities including shopping malls, marriage halls, restaurants by 10 pm. Only essential services like hospitals and medical shops are allowed to keep open. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Special Assistant on Health Affairs (SAPM) Dr Faisal Sultan said that the country is going to face a ‘second wave’ of coronavirus and a court in Islamabad has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code for 2 months.

Significantly, Dr. Faisal Sultan also has charge of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination. He has been given the status of federal minister by Imran Khan’s government. Prime Minister Imran Khan cautioned the citizens, saying, “We are afraid of the second wave of Coronavirus infection and some indications are that there is a slight increase in the cases.” In Pakistan, cases of coronavirus infection have increased to more than 3 lakh 30 thousand and more than 6 thousand 5 hundred people have died.