Smart Lockdown Reinforced in Punjab’s 10 Smog-Hit Districts

Lahore, Nov 26, 2023 : In response to worsening air quality, a smart lockdown has been reimposed in ten smog-affected districts of Punjab.

Effective today, the lockdown will be enforced in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Sahiwal, and Sargodha divisions, with specific limitations on transportation within these cities.

Under the new restrictions, markets in the designated districts will only be allowed to open after 4 pm. However, essential services such as medical stores, petrol pumps, bakeries, grocery stores, utility stores, call centers, and IT centers are exempt from the lockdown measures.

In an effort to combat the smog crisis, Lahore’s iconic Mall Road will be completely closed for all types of traffic today. Only cyclists and pedestrians will be permitted to use Mall Road during this period.

The smart lockdown strategy aims to strike a balance between limiting the movement of people to curb the spread of COVID-19 and addressing the urgent need to mitigate the impact of hazardous air quality in the region. The government has urged residents to adhere to the guidelines and cooperate with the authorities during this critical period.

As the situation unfolds, updates on the effectiveness of these measures and any further developments will be closely monitored, with the hope that these restrictions will contribute to the overall well-being of the affected communities.