Wearing facemasks made mandatory in smog-hit areas of Punjab

LAHORE: As smog engulfed more and more areas, the caretaker government of Punjab made wearing of facemasks mandatory for one week in the smog-hit districts from Monday. 

A notification issued by the government stated that the condition of wearing facemasks had been enforced in Lahore and Gujranwala divisions to prevent the spread of air-borne diseases.

Districts of Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin are likely to have the highest Air Quality Index.

Smog has engulfed different areas of Punjab forcing the the caretaker government on Nov 7 to announced a public holiday in educational institutions of the most affected districts.

Caretaker chief minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi had said that schools and government offices would remain closed in Nov 8.  The chief minister had said that by closing offices and schools we can decrease in the intensity and impact of smog. The caretaker chief minister urged the citizens to stay indoors during weekend.

Children, in particular, are experiencing breathing difficulties and eye infections, highlighting the urgency of these measures. He said the Indian government had also closed educational institutions in Delhi which was also badly hit by smog.

The caretaker chief minister said marriage halls, bakeries, pharmacies and takeaway restaurants will remain open. Lahore was on Tuesday considered the most polluted and smog affected city.