Amraiz Khan
The Punjab government on Thursday imposed a complete ban on eating inside hotels, cafes and restaurants and the Primary and Secondary Healthcare secretary issued a notification in this regard.
Secretary Primary Healthcare Capt (Retd) Muhammad Usman said that restaurants, hotels and all kinds of food points can arrange food and drink only in open spaces. The notification further said that seating tables and chairs will be maintained even in spacious area according to SOPs, SOPs issued to prevent corona in open spaces will also have to be followed, the notification stressed.
He said wearing masks, washing hands frequently, SOPs such as touching any level unnecessarily and maintaining social distance will be strictly enforced, all SOPs issued for prevention of corona must be complied with.
It is to be noted that the second wave of Corona has intensified. During the last 24 hours, a total of 778 new cases and 30 deaths have been reported in Corona across Punjab. Out of which 59231 patients and 1216 deaths have been reported in Lahore and Lahore is the most affected city from Corona in the province, 306 patients are undergoing treatment in Lahore hospitals, out of which 98 are on ICU and 29 on ventilators, 98825 patients infected with Corona in Punjab have recovered so far.
On the other hand Pakistan government has decided to observe Corona Awareness Week from December 5 to December 12. Dr. Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to PM Imran Khan for Health, said that Corona Virus SOPs Awareness Week would be a little effort to overcome the disease. Briefing the media along with Federal Interior Minister Ejaz Shah, Dr. Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Health, urged the people to strictly adhere to the SOPs related to Corona virus to curb the disease. Dr Faisal Sultan said that the provincial administration should strictly follow the SOPs of corona virus. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Health Imran Khan said that the use of masks, 6 feet distance and avoidance of crowded places must be done.
“We have contacts with all the provinces and federal units and we would like them to demonstrate their strength and capabilities this week to ensure implementation of SOPs,” he said. Dr. Faisal Sultan appealed to the people that if we put a little effort, sacrifice and care to break the back of this disease, we will be able to stop the precious lives that we see being lost.
“The second wave of corona is affecting the whole country and unfortunately 75 people have died from corona in the last 24 hours. There is no doubt that there could be severe pressure on our health system,” he said. But not only it is putting pressure on us, it is also costing us precious lives. Earlier, Home Minister Brigadier (retd) Ijaz Shah said that we should ask our elders, friends and relatives to strictly enforce these SOPs. He asked the provincial administrations to make efforts so that we can properly celebrate the implementation of SOPs next week.