Pakistan Sets Complete Lockdown for Eid al-Fitr Due to Coronavirus

Pakistan will enact a complete lockdown of the country during surrounding the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, beginning on May 8 through May 16, due to the rapidly increasing cases of the coronavirus in the country

Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the decision in a tweet on Friday morning. He urged the nation to strictly abide by the coronavirus prevention guidelines.

Pakistan reported 44,846 new positive cases in the 24-hours prior to the announcement, raising the total case tally on Friday to 85,0131 across the country. There were 140 deaths in the same time period.

According to the official data provided by National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), the country’s death toll on Friday reached  18677. Most deaths in the country are reported in Punjab followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan Army troops were deployed across the country beginning on May 2 to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Hamza Shafqat, the deputy commissioner of the federal capital Islamabad, told The Media Line that “public transport will be suspended and all parks, recreational places, and commercial areas will also be closed.”

“The federal authorities will ensure that people follow the government’s ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ policy”, he added.

However, according to a statement issued by the NCOC, “Tourism all across the country will remain closed from May 8th to 16. All travel routes leading to tourist/picnic spots will also remain closed during the  Eid al-Fitr holidays.