CM Usman Buzdar approves four additional labs for Covid-19 in Punjab

LAHORE: Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has approved the establishment of four additional diagnostic labs for coronavirus in the province.

In the first phase, labs will be set up in Sialkot and Sargodha while the facility will be provided in Rahim Yar Khan and Gujrat in the next phase. This was decided in a video link meeting of cabinet committee for the eradication of coronavirus which met here on Wednesday at CM's Office with CM Usman Buzdar in the chair.

The meeting was briefed about the smart lockdown and phase-wise opening of industrial units during Ramazan. While directing the Health Department to speed up its work, the chief minister told that up-gradation of labs in The Institute of Public Health and TB Control Programme had been completed and this facility was also provided to Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, Nishtar Hospital Multan and THQ Hospital Wazirabad. In the meantime, the daily diagnostics testing capacity of Punjab has reached to 4,500 and new labs in Bahawalpur, DG Khan and Rawalpindi will be made functional in the next few days, he informed. During the last 24 hours, 2,247 persons have been tested while more than 64,000 citizens have undergone coronavirus tests in Punjab, till today. The total number of coronavirus patients in Punjab is 4,431, he added.

The chief minister emphasised that practice of doing business with shutters down would not be allowed and the shop would be ticketed and sealed under the anti-corona ordinance in case of violation. He explained that Tandoors, milk and yoghurt shops would remain open during Sehri while the restaurants will remain closed during Sehri and Iftaar.

Similarly, implementation of 20 points safety strategy will be ensured for performing Namaz-e-Taraweeh and five prayers during Ramazan and legal action will be initiated against the industry in case of SOPs' violation. Around 216 localities have, so far, been locked down in Punjab, he further told.

The meeting also pondered over medical facilities for coronavirus patients, provision of PPEs and steps relating to partial lockdown.

The chief minister sought a report from RPO Gujranwala about kidnap-cum-murder of a girl in the precinct of PS Gojra in Mandi Bahauddin. He directed to take legal action against the captured offender. Meanwhile, police have registered a case and recovered firearm after arresting father of the girl.

The chief minister condoled the death of famous wrestler and Olympian Haji Muhammad Afzal Sher-e-Pakistan due to coronavirus in New York, USA. He has extended sympathies to the bereaved heirs adding that services of Haji Muhammad Afzal in the field of wrestling will be remembered till lately.

The chief minister sought a report from RPO Sahiwal about an incident of kidnap-cum-murder of a child in Depalpur and directed to early arrest the criminals for legal action against them.

The chief minister has directed to suspend Irrigation Department's Head Balloki XEN for showing poor performance and negligence in performing official duties. He reiterated that delay in public interest projects would never be tolerated as there was no room for negligence or laxity. He directed the government officers to deliver so that public interest projects could be timely completed. Those who will not give results will not continue in Punjab while the honest and dutiful officers will be encouraged, the CM asserted.