Punjab govt bans public gather­ingsLAHORE: Following the imposition of a health emergency in the wake of increasing number of coronavirus patients in the country, the government has virtually locked down all public places and imposed restrictions on public gatherings till April 5. After educational institutions, the government has closed down all public parks, zoos, gyms, play areas, banquet halls and marquees for three weeks. The ban has virtually brought banquet halls and the catering business to a standstill as all bookings have been cancelled, he added. Ceremonies allowed at homesAfter Punjab Home Department imposed section 144 to prohibit public gatherings, the government clarified that this ban does not prohibit gatherings of four or more citizens, as was reported by electronic media. In a high-level meeting on coronavirus, Punjab Chief Secretary Azam Suleman Khan said that all stakeholders in society would have to play their role in efforts to combat the virus.

Source: The Express Tribune March 15, 2020 11:40 UTC