Following the outbreak of coronavirus among participants of Tableeghi Ijtemaa held at Raiwind, the Punjab government has decided to track and screen all those who participated in such congregations in other provinces or abroad.
The decision was taken at a meeting jointly chaired by Provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat and Chief Secretary Punjab Azam Suleman Khan to review coronavirus situation and administrative affairs in the province.
The meeting was attended by Inspector General of Police Shoaib Dastgir, Commissioner Lahore Saif Anjum and officers concerned. The chief secretary directed all administrative officers to submit lists of participants of Tableeghi Ijtamaas. The meeting decided to allow keeping the milk shops open till 8pm, use mobile vans of departments of livestock and social welfare for the screening of people and make hospital OPDs functional for treatment of diseases other than coronavirus as well.
The chief secretary said the decision to allow the opening of milk shops till 8pm was taken in view of facilitating people and preventing financial loss. He also issued directions to divisional commissioners to keep coordination with dealers of pulses to maintain prices of the commodity.
The IG Punjab said that policemen, wardens and other staff performing duties in connection with coronavirus must be screened for the disease. He mentioned that during shifting of prisoners from one district to other administrations should remain in contact. He asked regional police officers to ensure prompt response to 'threat alerts' issued by agencies. The senior member board of revenue (SMBR) told the meeting that 97 lac applications have been received so far under Insaf Imdad Programme.