Here's what you need to know about Punjab's four-day 'smog closure'

The caretaker Punjab government Tuesday announced a four-day closure to curb exuberantly high smog levels in multiple cities across the province.

The shutdown — from November 9 (Thursday) to November 12 (Sunday) — will be enforced in Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Nankana Sahib districts along with Gujranwala and Hafizabad.

With authorities taking necessary measures to tackle the prevailing smog situation, here's what you need to know about what will be closed as part of the Punjab government's "smog holiday".

During the four-day closure, private offices along with educational institutions including schools will remain closed in the aforementioned areas.

Meanwhile, schools operating on Saturday will be asked to "remain shut," Naqvi said during the Lahore presser.

Restaurants, cinemas, gyms and parks will also remain closed.

Additionally, markets will also remain shut on Saturday. However, traders have been given the discretion to keep the markets closed on Friday if they find it "feasible".

However, marriage halls, bakeries, pharmacies, and public transport will be allowed to operate during this time period.

The government has also issued a smog advisory urging the public to "limit outdoor activities, wear masks when going outside, and drink water to keep the respiratory system hydrated."

Poor Air Quality Index (AQI) readings are expected during the coming week in central and south Punjab, with hazardous smog levels in the cities of Gujranwala, Multan, Lahore, Bahawalpur, and Faisalabad. Including surrounding areas [including] Sargodha, DG Khan, and Sahiwal divisions," the advisory read.

Lahore hit by severe smog

The provincial capital has been one of the worst smog-hit cities in the world with a 374 AQI reading.

The exuberantly high smog levels are not limited to Lahore as provinces as other cities including Multan, Pindi Bhattian and Rawalpindi's AQI readings stood at 442, 257 and 175, respectively.

It is to be noted that an AQI of 101 to 150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and 301 to 500 is hazardous.

Last week, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the administration to impose a citywide emergency in the provincial capital amid high smog levels.

The court had also directed the authorities to seal factories contributing to air pollution while subjecting the reopening of such factories to the submission of affidavits by factory owners — reassuring of no further violations of environmental laws.