PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: As Covid-19 circumstances proceed to rise throughout Punjab, the provincial administration has issued orders to maintain shelter services open for tough sleepers.
In response to particulars obtainable with The Categorical Tribune, the provincial authorities has ordered authorities to maintain all shelter properties open to make sure avenue sleepers have a roof over their heads through the international coronavirus outbreak.
The federal government has additionally ordered further shelter properties to accommodate the homeless neighborhood in districts and divisions throughout the province.
“Divisional and deputy commissioners have received orders to ensure shelter home facilities across the province are equipped and ready to handle the homeless population during this crisis,” mentioned one official who’s accustomed to the event.
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With the variety of confirmed circumstances climbing in Punjab, charities and native authorities are racing in opposition to the clock to ensure the homeless inhabitants has a shelter.
As a lot of the world retreats into coronavirus lockdown, Punjab authorities, which has over 200 confirmed circumstances, has determined to shutter all public locations to forestall the virus from spreading additional. Officers accustomed to the orders mentioned the federal government has no plans to shut shelter properties within the province. “The government has ordered the closure of all private and public offices, but shelter homes will remain open,” mentioned the official.
In response to information offered by the provincial administration, 110 shelter properties dot 36 districts throughout the province. These shelter services home greater than 6,000 homeless residents. The shelter properties, in accordance with one official, gives three meals per day to every of those people.
“We are aware of the situation, and the decision to keep the shelters open will prevent the homeless population from succumbing to Covid-19,” mentioned Punjab Chief Secretary Azam Suleman Khan.
The chief secretary additional added that the shelters maintain their doorways open to accommodate the homeless and travellers all around the province throughout this tough time.
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“The Punjab government is increasing the budget for shelters to pay for additional food requirements,” mentioned Khan.
Sharing particulars concerning the authorities’s plans, he mentioned, people and philanthropists have prolonged assist and are prepared to assist the federal government in its efforts to maintain travellers and homeless individuals protected throughout this disaster. The residents on the shelter, he mentioned, will likely be screened often.
Whereas hundreds of thousands all over the world stay at residence in an unprecedented bid to curb the unfold of the virus, specialists consider, the homeless inhabitants seems to be probably the most susceptible and uncovered. Around the globe, efforts are underway to guard avenue sleepers from being uncovered to the virus.
Revealed in The Categorical Tribune, March 26th, 2020.
