Govt to impose selective lockdown in COVID-19 hotspot areas

ISLAMABAD: Minister for information and Broadcasting Senator, Shibli Faraz on Tuesday announced that the government has decided to impose selective lockdown and sealing the COVID-19 hotspot areas across the country.

Briefing the media about the cabinet meeting in Islamabad today, Shibli Faraz said lockdown will be carried out in the targeted and affected areas of the COVID-19. The minister said fine will also be imposed on those who will violate the SOPs regarding the coronavirus.

The government devised a proactive strategy to limit the spread of coronavirus epidemic keeping in view the ground realities and economic situation of the country, he added.

Shibli Faraz further said, “We are constantly reviewing the situation arising out of the COVID-19 and holding consultation with the National Command and Operation Centre with the support of all the relevant departments to deal the pandemic effectively”.

The Information Minister said the government is striving hard to save the country’s economy and lives of the people during the outbreak, adding that Pakistan cannot afford the complete lockdown.  

Senator Shibli Faraz said NCOC is a formulating a strategy on the basis of facts and figures in order to upgrade medical facilities for the corona patients.

He said the number of testing labs, ventilators and oxygen beds has significantly been increased to provide the best medical treatment facilities to the patients of COVIUD-19.

The Information Minister said the number of C0OVID-19 patients was increased as the people neglected to follow SOPs. He said, “If we will not adhere to the SOPs then the situation will further deteriorate”. 

He urged the general public to strictly follow the protective steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 and run the country’s economy smoothly, adding that strictly following the SOPs is vital to minimize the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also appealed to the civil society, media and religious scholars to “create awareness amongst the public of the pandemic’s severity and the need to strictly observe SOPs”.