LAHORE (Nationaltimesnews) – Chief Minister of Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar on Monday directed strict enforcement of coronavirus related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the province.In a bid to curb rising coronavirus cases in Punjab, Usman Buzdar has ordered officials to ensure implementation of updated SOPs and said that no compromise can be made on health of masses as it is government’s top priority. He said that police, local administration should enforce updated business hours.The Chief Minister said that government is fully aware of difficulties being faced by the business community but government took necessary steps to stop spread of the virus.On the other hand, amid the ongoing third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, a major lockdown has been imposed in seven cities in Punjab starting from today (Monday). The lockdown will remain in force for a period of two weeks in the cities of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Gujrat.The notification issued by the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department said that there has been a constant increase in positivity percentage in Covid-19 cases in the province which poses a serious threat to public health.According to the notification, the major lockdown will restrict the movement of the people; there will be a complete ban on gatherings of all kinds for social, religious or other purposes at any place, public or private; marriage and banquet halls, community centres and marquees will remain closed; and also a complete ban on indoor and outdoor dining while only takeaway and home delivery will be allowed.All markets and bazaars shall be closed by 6:00pm in these seven cities on weekdays while there will be a complete shutter down on Saturdays and Sundays.However, hospitals, medical stores, bakeries, general stores, milk shops, meat and chicken shops, tandoors, fruit and vegetables shops and patrol pumps are exempted from these restrictions.The statement also said that there will be a complete ban on all kind of sports, cultural and other activities and events throughout the province.