LAHORE – The Punjab government has made wearing masks compulsory for citizens in open places in four divisions.
As per the notification issued by Punjab Environmental Protection (EPA) Director General (DG) Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh on Wednesday, general public of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan has been advised to wear masks in open spaces till January 31, 2025.
The recent spike in respiratory diseases due to smoke, dust etc is posing a serious and imminent threat to public health. Hence, it is imperative to take all possible safety measures for prevention of morbidity and disease caused by deteriorating air quality.
The Health Advisory System for Critical Air Pollution Events (HAS-CAPES) has been notified on 13.12.2022 under which the 1st meeting of Provincial CAPEs Committee (PCC) was held on 21.10.2024 which declared that Critical Air Pollution Event has taken place in Lahore, keeping In view the current high levels of Air Quality Index (AQ1).
“I, Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh (PAS), Director General, Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab in exercise of the powers conferred upon me u/s 6(1) (o) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997, do hereby advise the general public of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan Divisions to wear face mask in open pubic spaces till 31st January, 2025”, reads the notification.
Punjab issues health advisory for citizens in smog-hit Lahore
