The Punjab government enforced smart lockdowns in multiple districts of the province on Thursday to decrease smog and keep skies clear.

The four-day lockdown involves closure of schools and markets and people have been advised not to leave their houses except for unavoidable needs.

The smart lockdown was initially imposed for four days from Thursday to Sunday. However, the government later decided to relax the lockdown for the first two days in eight districts.

The districts that received the relaxation include Lahore, Nankana Sahab, Sheikhupura, Qasoor, Gujranwala, Narowal, Hafizabad and Sialkot.

The government has allowed the eight districts to keep markets including shopping malls, open on Thursday and Friday.

In Lahore, safe city cameras are being used to monitor the imposition of the lockdown.

Smog had started to take over the city’s skies as soon as winter season approached. The city was even ranked worst in the world in terms of air pollution.

The matter had even made it to the Lahore High Court, which ordered drastic measures in advance to prevent smog.