Lockdown and business

The coronavirus pandemic is the worst crisis since the Second World War, taking a heavy toll and human lives and health. The only known solution so far to defeat the virus is the imposition of a lockdown. After immense devastation, China implemented a strict lockdown for over two months and was able to control the virus.

Pakistan is facing two kinds of problems. First, there is an acute shortage of services and an economic crisis along with hunger, poverty, unemployment and adverse business conditions. Now we have to deal with a deadly and incurable disease such as the novel coronavirus. The irony is that to defeat hunger and disparity, we need to step outside and take action, while on the other hand, we need to stay at home to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.

Small business owners, traders, daily wagers, labour class and in fact all those associated with the business community are going through a testing period. The worrying thing is that lower segments are losing patience and have stepped outside despite the risks from the pandemic. Law enforcement agencies are helpless in stopping them, and since there is a lack of resources, the government failed to provide sufficient assistance.

The government should take all stakeholders on board and take steps to pave way for the partial resumption of businesses, subject to the strict enforcement of safety precautions. There should be a middle ground to move the wheel of business activity or around eighty percent of the workforce in Karachi risk losing their jobs. The country could become like impoverished and failed nations such as Ethiopia and Somalia if appropriate steps are not taken.

As compared to many developed countries who are fighting a battle for survival, Pakistan has not suffered severely due to coronavirus pandemic. We need to protect ourselves so that we do not develop a similar situation will be beyond our control. Pakistan cannot be among the list of nations where the daily death toll is in thousands. It might take years to recover if the pandemic spreads to such levels across the country.

The federal and provincial governments should not take any decisions in haste and consult all stakeholders. We need to help each other in these tough times rather than creating a situation in which people are compelled to break lockdown orders. Wealthy individuals should help the underprivileged and ensure they have sufficient food supplies. This is the ideal time to help them knowing well that the government has limited resources.

In case the lockdown is eased on April 15, we should not rush to markets and take any irrational decisions. This could create chaos and anarchy in the country and lead to dangerous spike in coronavirus cases in the country. We need to demonstrate extreme caution to resume business activities and take safety precautions rather than rushing out after a month-long lockdown. The government would have no option but to ensure a complete lockdown if such a situation arises.