Easing lockdown the right decision?

The number of coronavirus infections in Pakistan has been escalating exponentially. In this regard, the federal and provincial governments are taking stern measures to contain the outbreak of coronavirus.

Pakistan is under partial lockdown, which has badly affected the lives of daily wagers. However, the federal and the provincial governments have started easing restrictions amid coronavirus in a bid to provide relief to the daily wagers and people.

Let’s take an in-depth review regarding the coronavirus situation in the country and the decisions for easing the lockdown.

Current coronavirus situation in Pakistan

So far, coronavirus has claimed lives of almost 144 people across Pakistan and has affected more than 7,600 people, while almost 1,832 people have been recovered from the deadly virus.

According to the national dashboard, Punjab remains the worst affected province from coronavirus with more than 3,400 infections.

Sindh has reported more than 2,300 infections, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 1077 cases. Balochistan has reported almost 351 cases so far.

Lockdown

On March 22, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was the first to enforced lockdown in their province. After which other provincial governments also enforced lockdown to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Then on April 2, the federal government said that “restrictions” imposed as precautionary measures amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country will continue for two more weeks. The decision to extend the period of the restrictions was taken in a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC).

On April 14, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced another two-week extension in an ongoing lockdown following rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the country.

Easing Lockdown

In his speech on April 14, PM Imran announced an extension in lockdown, however, he also announced that the government had decided to reopen several “low-risk” industries, including construction, agriculture, e-commerce, paper and packaging, and others to resume the business activities, and to stem a deepening economic meltdown caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Earlier today (April 18, 2020), Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has formed a three-member committee to work with small traders and shopkeepers to prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) for reopening shops.

The chief minister has also allowed small traders and shopkeepers to deliver items to peoples’ homes according to a set of SOPs. He further recommended that different sectors (such as clothing, electronics etc) open their shops on different days of the week.

According to a notification issued by Commissioner Karachi, the restaurants and hotels have been allowed to remain open only for home deliveries from 8 am to 5 pm.

A 20-point strategy has also been agreed upon for people and mosques to follow during the holy month of Ramazan. The President asserted that the 20-point strategy, based on precautionary measures, was formulated in consensus with religious leaders and provincial governments to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Right decision?

The number of coronavirus infections is constantly increasing across Pakistan. The countries with the best health systems are struggling to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the World Health Organization, lifting coronavirus lockdown measures too early could spark a “deadly resurgence” in infections.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that countries should be cautious about easing restrictions, even as some struggle with the economic impact. He said, “The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.”

In this regard, a Pakistani scientist – Professor Masood Hameed Khan – has warned that the coronavirus pandemic can prove to be even more dangerous from April 26 to May 10.

Professor Khan asserted that the coronavirus pandemic was limited across the globe in the first 50-60 days, after which, it caused a significant number of deaths.

He said, “The cycle of the virus is of 90 days. The virus was reported on Feb 26 in Pakistan, and now nearly 50 days have passed, it could be said that the period extending from April 26 to May 10 can prove to be an alarming period in Pakistan.”

One can easily say that easing lockdown restrictions isn’t the right decision as Pakistan doesn’t have a proper medical system and it will become more dangerous to tackle the virus.