Smog level down but restrictions continue

LAHORE:As the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several cities came down, the Punjab government has restored the educational institutions except Lahore and Multan where the restrictions will continue till November 24, 2024.

On Monday, the AQI of Lahore was 158 and it was at sixth position in the line of the world’s top most polluted cities while Delhi was at the top with an AQI of over 1,000. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb while talking with the media said that change in direction and speed of easterly winds improved Air Quality Index in Punjab.

The minister added that on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, it has been decided to open educational institutions in all districts except Lahore and Multan divisions from tomorrow (Tuesday).

Marriyum Aurangzeb further said that schools in Punjab will not open before 9 o'clock and a notification was already issued under the signature of Director General of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dr Imran Hamid Shaikh.

All students, teachers and staff will wear masks compulsorily, she maintained and said outdoor sports and other extracurricular activities will be banned. Separate closing timings will be fixed depending on the parties so that there was no traffic jam.

Air quality has improved in most districts of Punjab due to rainfall in upper regions, the senior minister said and warned that school management will be responsible for implementing precautionary measures. Difficult decisions were taken to save human lives from harm, said Senior Minister, adding that children's education was very important but their health cannot be compromised. She thanked the people for their cooperation in the government initiatives and congratulated all the Punjab government agencies, EPA, police, district administration officers and staff for working hard to curb the smog.

Meanwhile, Met office said that continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country. They predicted that mainly dry and cold weather was expected in most parts of the country. Smog/fog was likely to prevail at isolated plain areas of Punjab during night/morning.

Monday’s minimum temperature was recorded at Leh where mercury dropped to -07°C while in Lahore it was 13°C and maximum was 27°C. Meanwhile, EPA issued a notification lifting a ban on all kind of hotels, restaurants, fast food chains and other food outlets to operate till 10pm.

The notification said in pursuance of this office order No. 128/DG/EPA/2024 dated 15.11.2024 and order No.133/DGEPA/2021 dated 16.11.2024, regarding restrictions imposed by this office for ban on dine in (including eatery in car parking) after 4pm and Take-away after 8pm till 24.11.2024.

It said the ambient air quality has improved in most parts of the Punjab due to rain in upper parts of Punjab, change in wind direction and speed. Therefore, the restrictions imposed regarding ban on dine in (including eatery in car parking) after 4:00 pm and Take-away after 8:00 pm for hotels, restaurants, fast food chains and food outlets was revised.

As per the new instructions, all kinds of hotels, restaurants, fast food chains and food outlets were allowed to provide services (including dine-in and take-away and eatery in car parking) till 10:00 PM throughout the Punjab. It was further clarified that there shall be no restriction on home delivery services round the clock.