Zafar Mirza Admits SOPs Being Violated, Warns Of Reimposition Of Lockdown After Eid
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza on Monday warned the citizens that ‘strict lockdown’ could be imposed after Eid if the coronavirus trajectory continued to rise, since a prominent surge has been witnessed in the virus cases and deaths across the country after the federal government’s decision to lift the lockdown imposed to counter the spread of the fatal virus.
The PM’s aide noted that the government’s instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to counter the coronavirus were not being followed. He said, “As we promised when we eased the lockdown, if this trend continues we may reimpose strict lockdowns after Eid.”
While highlighting a perception amongst people that the virus outbreak in the country had ended, Mirza reminded everyone that deaths and cases were rising continuously. “Unfortunately, there is now this thinking among us that this disease [Covid-19] was only here till Eid and that somehow it’ll disappear after Eid. This is a huge misunderstanding. I want to warn Pakistanis that if you don’t take precautionary measures, this crisis could turn into a huge tragedy.”
The SAPM urged the nation to act with extreme responsibility to curb the spread of the virus. He said the cases are rising very fast and the people need to be careful, ‘more than ever’.
He further clarified that most of the active cases in the country were mild and those patients were quarantining at home. He requested them to stay at home and recuperate until they are tested negative. “Unfortunately, there are 112 patients intubated in Pakistan right now. These patients are critically ill and are fighting for their lives at this very moment,” he added.
Last week, Supreme Court (SC) ordered the authorities to reopen all markets and shopping malls. Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmad said that people need to be allowed to go out for Eid shopping. “You don’t want to buy new clothes for Eid, but there are some who wear new clothes only on the Eid day. Let them go for Eid shopping.”
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