ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services, Dr. Zafar Mirza has expressed that the government may not adopt WHO’s recommendation of imposing 14 days to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
In response to a letter by the World Health Organization (WHO) urging Pakistan to impose lockdown, Dr. Zafar Mirza said that it is not necessary to follow the recommendations of the organization.
“Government has adopted a planned strategy to deal with the coronavirus. We do have an option of lockdown but people are advised to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for now,” he said.
“It is impossible to defeat Coronavirus without changing attitudes,” he maintained. He further said that the non-operational sectors will continue to remain closed adding, “The government knows what is in the best interest of people.”
“Coronavirus cases will spike in the coming days. Lockdown may take place if the situation deteriorates further,” he said by adding that there is enough capacity in the province’s hospitals to deal with COVID-19 patients.
His remarks came after the WHO urged Pakistan to observe complete lockdown after every two weeks for 14 days to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
The WHO listed Pakistan among the top ten countries in the world in terms of a spike in coronavirus cases and urged the country to observe complete lockdown in view of rising coronavirus patients and deaths.
Read more: Govt is adhering to policy of selected COVID-19 lockdowns: Zafar Mirza
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