ISLAMABAD: Pakistani planning minister Asad Umar said on Monday the government was mulling ‘immediate measures’ to curb a second wave of the novel coronavirus in the country, without having to impose restrictions that would hurt economic activity.
The comments by Umar, who also oversees the country’s coronavirus response efforts, came as a government portal reported Pakistan’s highest rise in coronavirus cases in a single day since July 26, with 1,123 new infections recorded, taking the country’s total infections to 335,093. Also, 12 people died from the disease in the past 24 hours, bringing total deaths to 6,835.
Last week, Pakistan’s de facto health minister, Dr. Faisal Sultan, announced that the second wave of coronavirus had arrived and new restrictions and lockdowns were ‘inevitable.’
“NCOC discussed additional measures today to control the rising spread of Covid19,” Umar tweeted, referring to the National Command and Control Center, which he heads. “Need to take immediate measures which have the most impact on disease spread without curtailing economic activity.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly said the country would need to learn to “live with” the virus to avert pushing tens of millions living on daily wages into destitution.
Pakistan began to lift its lockdown, imposed in March, on May 9, about two weeks before the Eid Al-Fitr festival that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and is celebrated with congregation prayers, family gatherings and feasting. Transport and most businesses re-opened but cinemas, theaters and schools remain closed.
In August, the government announced that virtually all sectors shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus would be reopened that month, other than schools and marriage halls, which opened in September. Since then, there has been a slow uptick in infection numbers.
Last week, the NCOC made it mandatory for residents to wear masks in public places and ordered all business centers, wedding halls, eateries and shopping centers to close shop by 10 pm.
The NCOC’s has also set up a helpline where citizens can notify authorities if members of the public break COVID-19 rules.
However, Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas has said schools would remain open in the country’s biggest province.
“Keeping a very close watch on COVID 19 cases in Schools of Punjab. Random testing is being done continuously,” Raas tweeted on Sunday. “There is a slight increase in numbers but nothing alarming. Situation being analyzed on daily basis. There is NO plan to close Schools as of right now. Please follow SOP’s.”
