LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) – A record air pollution in Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan The country is sending more people to hospitals and private clinics, doctors said Wednesday, as authorities warned that a full lockdown could be imminent if residents do not wear masks and follow other coronavirus-related guidelines. smog.

The warning came after residents on the streets of Lahore, which has a population of 14 million, were seen mostly without masks. Doctors say most people complain of either a cough or burning eyes.

“Tens of thousands of patients suffering from respiratory diseases were treated in hospitals and clinics within a week,” said Salman Kazmi, vice-president of the Pakistan Medical Association.

You can see people coughing every time you go there, but they still rarely wear masks, he said.

Lahore remained the world’s most polluted city as of Wednesday morning, with the air quality index reaching a record high of more than 1,100. Anything above 300 is considered hazardous to health.

Toxic smog has enveloped the city for the past month.

Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister of Punjab province, asked people to wear masks to avoid a complete lockdown of the city. Lahore is the provincial capital.

City authorities have already banned unfiltered grilling, as well as the use of motorized rickshaws – and wedding halls must close at 10 p.m.

The government said it was also exploring methods to incentivize artificial rain to fight pollution.