Manend Team 
ISLAMABAD, (MANEND NEWS): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday
appealed to the nation to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs)
for curbing the spread of the coronavirus, warning that Pakistan may
soon be facing a situation similar to India if the current trend
continues. Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he had asked the
Pakistan Army to assist the police and law enforcement agencies in
enforcing coronavirus related SOPs. “We have been asking people to
follow precautionary measures. But we have seen that people have
become careless.”
Addressing the nation after a meeting of the National Coordination
Committee, PM Imran Khan said: “I am appealing to you to follow
SOPs so that we don’t have to take steps that India is taking which
means imposing lockdowns. Half the problem is solved when you wear
face masks.”
New SOPs announced by the NCOC:
Schools in districts with over 5pc positivity rate closed till Eid
Markets to be closed at 6pm
Indoor and outdoor dining banned till Eid; only takeaway and delivery
to be allowed
Office timings limited to 2pm
50pc of staff to be allowed in offices
“If our circumstances become the same as India, then we will have to
close down cities. We can’t do that because, as experience has shown,
the poor suffer the most when lockdowns are imposed,” the prime
minister said.
“People are telling me to impose a lockdown today, but we are not
going to do so because, and I keep repeating this, daily wagers and
labourers will suffer the most.”
That is why we have not taken action, he said, adding that however
long this lasts will depend on the people. The premier called on the
nation to start observing precautionary measures, in the same way
which you did the previous year during Ramazan.
“Pakistan was the only country which had kept mosques open last year
during Ramazan. I was proud of the way our religious scholars and
imams informed the people about precautionary measures,” he said.
The premier also noted that very few people were following SOPs. “If
we don’t take precautionary measures, we will have to impose a
lockdown which will also affect our economy at a time when it is on the
rise.”
He added that the government was making all out efforts to procure
vaccines. “We have asked China, but their demand is also quite large.
There is a shortage in the rest of the world.”
Even if we get the vaccines today, it will take at least a year for them
to have an impact, he said. “What will make the biggest difference is
following precautionary measures,” he said, reiterating that half the
problem is solved when wearing face masks.
He hoped that once the nation starts following SOPs, the number of
cases would decrease. “Until we face this together, we will not be able
to win. I remember how a year ago people adopted precautionary
measures and followed SOPs before Ramazan because they were
scared.
“But citizens have become tired over the span of a year and fatigue
has set in which is why there is such a stark difference.” He hoped the
nation would follow SOPs so that the government is not forced to lock
down cities.
During the briefing, Minister for Planning, Development and Special
Initiatives Asad Umar explained that the National Command and
Operation Centre (NCOC) had been instructed to formulate a plan with
the provinces in light of rising coronavirus cases.
He said that it had been decided that schools in districts with a
positivity rate of more than five per cent will be closed down till Eid,
including grades 9-12.
“Markets will be allowed to remain open till 6pm. After that, only
essential services will be allowed to operate and a specific list of such
businesses will be issued,” he said.
He said that restrictions had already been imposed on indoor dining.
However, outdoor dining will also be banned till Eid while takeaway will
be allowed, the minister said, adding that indoor gyms will also remain
closed.
“Office timings have been limited to 2pm because shops are open till
6pm and we want that people have enough time to visit markets.” He
urged those wanting to buy things specifically for Eid to visit markets
during the day as shops will be closed in the evening and after Iftar.
“Do not wait until the last three to five days, start shopping now,” he
advised. “As the prime minister said, if cases increase we may have to
impose a lockdown. So try to complete your Eid shopping bit by bit.”
He added that the government had emphasised the “work from home
policy” so that more than 50pc of employees are not called into offices.
Asad Umar also said that a policy was being created for Covid-19
cases being reported in travelers from abroad. “Instructions have been
issued to make a detailed policy in the next one to two days to reduce
the number of people coming from abroad while also strengthening the
testing and quarantining system.”
Commenting on the oxygen supply in the country, he said that
approximately 90pc of Pakistan’s oxygen capacity was being used, of
which 80pc was being utilised by the health sector. He said the
government was working on improving the situation and would import
it if the need arises.
“If you follow these guidelines, then we will be able to celebrate Eid
with our loved ones. But if you don’t then we will face a difficult
situation in the future.”
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services,
Regulations and Coordination Dr. Faisal Sultan said that during the
first wave of the pandemic, the healthcare system was under stress
and around 3,500 patients were on oxygen.
“However, now the number is above 4,600,” he said. “Apart from this,
the positivity rate is continuously hovering at 10pc which tells us the
extent of the spread of the disease.”
There are many major cities where the positivity rate is more than
20pc, he said, adding that it was also rising in areas which had
previously reported a lower number.
“The result of this is that it puts pressure on our healthcare system as
well as doctors, nurses and other medical professionals.” He reiterated
that Pakistan’s oxygen capacity was currently under stress as around
90pc was being utilised.
He concluded by asking the nation to follow SOPs in order to protect
themselves and their loved ones.