Federal Minister Ministry for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and head of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) Asad Umar has warned the nation about the danger of the COVID-19 “knocking at our doors” and has expressed the need to unite against the virus.
“The need for caution is clear,” warned Umar. “The danger is higher than ever and [is] knocking at our doors.”
The minister urged everyone to take the necessary precautions and follow the coronavirus SOPs.
“Need the country to unite in response and achieve once again what we achieved in the first wave, for which we received global praise. InshAllah we will do it again, together,” said Umar.
The minister also quoted examples from the other countries of the region including India and Nepal to explain the intensity of the situation.
He also explained the rationale behind the recent restrictions imposed on mobility. To reduce mobility during the forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitar NCOC has announced a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” strategy from May 8 to May 16, with the complete ban on tourism, for both locals and outsiders. All tourist resorts, formal and informal picnic spots, public parks, shopping malls; all hotels and restaurants in/around tourist/ picnic spots to will be remain closed during the mentioned time period.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has also started local production of the first bulk of the Cansino vaccine, which will be available at the end of the month. A special plant was set up at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad.
Pakistan is currently administering China’s Sinopharm at govt centres and Russia’s sputnik at private centres, and the first batch of the first shipment of the British coronavirus AstraZeneca has arrived in Pakistan.
The country is battling with its third wave of COVID-19. According to the NCOC, Pakistan has recorded 4,109 cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours while 120 people have lost their lives to the deadly virus.
Meanwhile, Firdous Ashiq Awan has urged people to avoid the usual, “Jhappiyan or Puppiyan”, this Eid.
