Face masks made mandatory in smog-hit Punjab

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. 

Interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi took to X, formerly Twitter, to share the notification issued by the provincial health department a day prior. 

According to the notification, the order is to be implemented in Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Narowal, Hafizabad, Sialkot and Mandi Bahauddin from November 20 till November 26.

“The 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,” wrote Naqvi.

The notification stated that the measure has been taken to prevent and control air borne diseases in the province.  

The poor air quality due to the heavy smog has become a “serious and imminent threat to the public health in all groups,” it added.

Read: 500 hospitalised due to smog

The air pollution rate in the provincial capital has reached to alarming levels making Lahore the world’s most polluted cities. 

Earlier this month, the city witnessed at least 500 people falling sick due to toxic smog and being admitted in emergency wards of various local hospitals within 24-hours.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court issued directives for stringent measures to be implemented to counter challenges presented by the smog. The court dismissed the Punjab environment director-general from his post for his failure to ensure the same. 

A smart lockdown had earlier been imposed in the province among other measures to mitigate air pollution.