Shopkeepers urged to implement ‘No mask, No service’ policy

ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Asad Umar has urged shopkeepers to strictly implement ‘no mask, no service’ policy for customers to prevent the spread of coronavirus amid rising number of cases.

The minister was chairing a meeting of National Command and Operation Centre where he directed to concentrate on planing to ease the lockdown while strictly implementing the Standard Operating Procedures.

The forum, in view of the growing number of coronavirus cases after relaxation in lockdown, decided to engage market associations for the implementation of COVID -19 guidelines and SOPs in letter and spirit.

Asad Umar directed pursuing a vigorous mass awareness campaign to highlight precautionary measures to contain COVID-19. He expressed satisfaction over the availability of ventilators in countrywide hospitals.

The minister directed the concerned authorities to provide latest data about the availability of beds and other related facilities. The forum suggested taking strict punitive action on violation of SOPs.

The NCOC was told that the Resource Management System would be rolled out across the country. Under the RMS, the hospitals would also share the details of local resources, total admitted patients, denial of admissions, number of beds and ventilators available, as well as other facilities.

Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Health Dr Zafar Mirza said his ministry is planning to mobilise retired doctors of public sector hospitals, young doctors, doctors on house jobs, and final year medical students to cope with the situation.

He said new doctors and paramedics would be recruited through walk-in interviews. The forum was apprised of that the provinces have been asked to ensure community mobilisation and set up call centres in their respective areas by 15 of next month.

The forum was told that Sindh and Balochistan governments are not agreeing on imposing smart lockdown, and instead preferred the home quarantine policy.