ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that provinces should take steps to enforce “smart lockdown” where the number of COVID-19 affected persons is on the rise across the country.
Chairing a meeting to review steps taken to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Islamabad on Monday, PM Imran Khan said that the government is continuously monitoring the situation and is taking all-out measures to protect the people from the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, “Coronavirus has emerged as the major global issue and every affected country is struggling to tackle the virus,” adding that the smart lockdown could a solution to save the company and poor people of the country.
“We are considering the option of strict lockdown in the areas where the number of COVID-19 affected persons is on the rise in order to limit the spread of infection,” he maintained.
Expressing satisfaction on the meeting of needs of protective clothing and kits in the country, PM Khan ordered the political leadership to review the COVID-19 facilities in hospitals in their respective areas in cooperation with the administration and also play a vibrant role in ensuring people’s cooperation in following the SOPs.
In this regard, he further said that the imposition of ‘balanced and smart lockdown’ would be an effective and viable option under the prevailing coronavirus situation in the country.
PM Imran also expressed confidence that the government would take further decisions regarding the issue faced by poor people.
The prime minister while taking notice of the shortage of medicines and injections needed for COVID-19 patients, instructed the NDMA chief to make sure the availability of medicines and equipment in all hospitals of the country.
During the meeting, the officials apprised the PM that 107 laboratories are working in the country for COVID-19 tests and 25,000 tests are being conducted daily. The number of ventilators in the country is 4,800 while another 1,600 will be added soon.
In addition, 2,000 beds for coronavirus will be made available into different hospitals of the provinces by next month, the meeting was informed.
Meanwhile, the government has identified sites in 20 cities of the country where the number of COVID-19 affected persons is on the rise and needs administrative steps by provincial governments and district administration.
The premier also warned that the next three to four weeks can be critical for Pakistan in terms of coronavirus infections and deaths. He also urged the people of Pakistan to take protective measures and practice social distancing to prevent the coronavirus.
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