{"id":26303,"date":"2023-11-19T21:24:07","date_gmt":"2023-11-19T21:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/face-masks-made-mandatory-in-smog-hit-punjab-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-11-19T21:24:07","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T21:24:07","slug":"face-masks-made-mandatory-in-smog-hit-punjab-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/face-masks-made-mandatory-in-smog-hit-punjab-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Face masks made mandatory in smog-hit Punjab | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nLAHORE:
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The Punjab government made it mandatory on Sunday for citizens to wear face masks when stepping out in 10 smog-hit districts of the province.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi took to X, formerly Twitter, to share the notification issued by the provincial health department a day prior.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to the notification, the order is to\u00a0be implemented<\/a> in Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Narowal, Hafizabad, Sialkot and Mandi Bahauddin from November 20 till November 26.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Punjab Government announces a 1-week mandate for wearing of face masks for all citizens in smog-affected districts of Punjab. Prioritising health is our collective responsibility. Please adhere to the guidelines for a safer community,\u201d wrote Naqvi.<\/p>\n

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In response to deteriorating Air Quality, the Punjab Government announces a 1-week mandate for wearing of face masks for all citizens in smog effected districts of Punjab. Prioritising health is our collective responsibility. Please adhere to the guidelines for a safer community. pic.twitter.com\/qe3jBdUjvY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) November 19, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

The notification stated\u00a0that the measure has been taken to prevent and control air borne diseases in the province.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The poor air quality due to the heavy smog has become a \u201cserious and imminent threat to the public health in all groups,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n

Read:<\/strong> 500 hospitalised due to smog<\/a><\/p>\n

The air pollution rate in the provincial capital has reached\u00a0to alarming levels making Lahore the world’s most polluted cities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, the city witnessed at least\u00a0500 people falling\u00a0sick due to toxic smog and being admitted in emergency wards of various local hospitals within 24-hours.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court issued directives\u00a0for stringent measures to be implemented to counter challenges presented by the smog. The court dismissed<\/a> the\u00a0Punjab environment director-general from his post for his failure to ensure the same.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A smart lockdown had earlier been imposed in the province among other measures to mitigate air pollution.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n