Islamabad, Nov 6: Punjab Imposes Mandatory Face Mask Rule in Four Divisions Due to Smog Crisis. Due to this kind of smog conditions, the government of Punjab has put certain measures to ensure the public health of inhabitants in Lahore and other related cities. New Delhi: Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb declared the extension of obligatory mask wearing to cover not only Lahore but Multan, Gujranwala, and Faisalabad strictly because the Air Quality Index of the region has shot up. Air quality index of Lahore has touched alarming levels and it is causing potential threat to several million people.
To prevent this, the government has planned to act quickly such as most of the affected schools have been closed and moved online while workers in different offices of both government and private institutions have been advised to work from home. Such measures can include lower allowed duration of stay outside together with avoiding certain weather conditions and limiting the time children, the elderly, and people with breathing problems spend outside. Aurangzeb highlighted the need of these steps he stated that people’s health is the most important thing during smog.
Also, the Punjab government has ordered the wearing of masks in 10 districts, including Lahore, Gujranwala, and several around regions. Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department of the province released official notification for those places where masks should be compulsory during the outdoor activities for the safety from health-related illnesses including allergy, respiratory diseases and other problems related to the smog.
In regions with the highest AQI, such as the districts of Lahore, Kasur, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and the remaining impacted areas, face masks must be worn. Minister Dr. Jamal Nasir urged the public to work together to lessen the negative health consequences of smog and gave the measures top priority.
