ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reported a marginal decline in coronavirus cases on Monday, as the government has imposed a complete lockdown in various cities fearing a surge in cases ahead of the Eid holidays.
According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Pakistan reported another 3,447 cases and 78 deaths in the previous 24-hour period. The national tally of coronavirus cases has reached 861,473 while the death toll stands at 18,993.
The number of active cases has reached 80,375 while there are 4,846 people remain in critical condition. There were 37,756 tests conducted in the past day, while the positivity ratio was 9.12 %. Overall 762,105 people have recovered from the virus, including 4,824 in the past day.
Punjab remains affected region and has recorded 319,365 cases and 9,058 deaths, while the number of active cases in the province stands has reduced to 38,482. Islamabad has recorded 78,200 cases and 715 deaths while there are 10,460 active cases in the federal capital.
The number of coronavirus cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands at 124,484 and 3,615 deaths while there are 10,460 active cases in the province. Sindh has recorded 292,644 cases and 4,742 deaths while Balochistan has recorded 23,447 cases and 248 deaths.
The NCOC has shown concern on reported violations of the instructions from various cities regarding implementation of SOPs as it imposed a lockdown from 8-16th May. In a special session chaired by Planning Minister Asad Umar, the forum instructed all provinces to ensure complete compliance of instructions with full administrative control.
All markets, businesses and shops will remain closed except essential services including grocery stores, medical stores, health facilities and vaccination centres, vegetable, fruit, chicken and meat shops, bakeries, petrol pumps, food takeaways and e-commerce (home delivery), utility services and media offices.
Similarly, all tourist resorts, formal and informal picnic spots, public parks, shopping malls, all hotels and restaurants around tourist spots will also remain closed during this period.
Tourists leading to any tourism destination will not be allowed to enter tourist destinations. Moreover, ban on inter-provincial, inter-city and public transport will be imposed, except for private vehicles, taxis, rickshaws with 50 percent occupancy.
