It took the provincial government more than 30,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in Lahore to decide that the city had become an epicentre of the pandemic and so parts of it ought to be sealed. The “smart lockdown,” as it is popularly dubbed, followed nearly a month-long relaxation in restrictions that had only served to bring death and disease to the not-so-cautious — or ignorant, in the words of Dr Yasmin Rashid — common Lahoris.

Interestingly, an earlier report had suggested that there could be an estimated 0.67 million asymptomatic cases of Covid-19 in Lahore alone. If that didn’t spell horror for the authorities, an unprecedented surge in confirmed cases sure did. Or, was it the World Health Organization (WHO) which pressed Pakistan for “intermittent lockdowns” to contain the spread of the virus.

Today, many parts of the city have been sealed. These include Johar Town B2, F2, J2 and G3; Canal View Society, B Block; Wapda Town, F2 & G; PCSIR, Phase 2, Block B; Gulberg A3, B2, B3 and B1; DHA Phase 1 all sectors; DHA Phase 5 all sectors; Askari 10 (complete), and Shiraz Villas in Cavalry Ground.

The chief secretary has directed the officers to ensure the availability of essential commodities and access to medical facilities for the citizens during the lockdown.