LAHORE: 18, JANUARY, 2021: Punjab government has imposed a smart lockdown in more localities of Lahore and Gujranwala till January 19 in order to control the coronavirus spread. 

The decision has been taken as part of precautionary measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the city. 

According to the notification issued by the concerned authorities, 17 areas in Lahore and three in Gujranwala have been sealed as COVID-19 cases increased. 

Complete ban on gathering of all kinds of social, or any other purpose at any place, public or private in these affected areas. 

All the industrial units in these areas will also remain closed. However, grocery, bakeries and medical stores remained open in the affected areas during SLD. 

Ban on movement of people to and from these areas by public and private transport except limited movement of one person per vehicle to and from the exempted facilities, notification added. 

The streets of affected areas have been closed with hurdles and deployment of police personnel. 

It is to be noted that, the number of coronavirus infections has jumped to 521,211 on Monday after more cases were reported in different parts of the country.

According to the national database, 1,920 persons tested positive for the deadly virus in 24 hours whereas the total count of active cases increased up to 34,986.

As per sources, cases in Sindh climbed to 235,576 the highest number so far in the country, while the confirmed infections tally in Punjab stood at 149,782, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cases jumped to 63,615, in Balochistan 18,612 cases reported, Islamabad Capital Territory covid-19 cases reached 40,111, Gilgit-Baltistan tally up to 4,884 while 8,631 cases were reported in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

In addition, the country has recorded 10,997 deaths so far, after 46 fatalities were reported over the last 24 hours.

As per official data, Punjab recorded 4,432 deaths, a highest number as compared to any other province while 3,793 in Sindh, 1,783 deaths were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 101 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 190 in Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory has reported 457 deaths and AJK recorded 241 deaths.

According to the NCOC, Pakistan has so far carried out 7,405,571 corona tests and 37,949 in last 24 hours and 475,228 patients have recovered. 

Reportedly, 213,624 patients have been recovered in Sindh, 134,489 in Punjab, 58,240 in KP, 18,100 in Balochistan, 37,914 in Islamabad Capital Territory, 4,756 in Gilgit-Baltistan while in AJK 8,105 patients have been completely recovered across Pakistan whereas 2,348 patients are in a critical condition across the country. (04)