Provincial Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Affairs Raja Basharat has said that it is gratifying that the number of new victims and deaths of corona in Punjab is decreasing due to government initiatives on which Chief Minister Usman Bazdar, Punjab government and the efforts of the Pakistani armed forces are commendable.
He was presiding over a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corona at the Chief Minister’s House on Saturday. Provincial ministers Dr Yasmeen Rashid, Mian Aslam Iqbal and Hashim Javan Bakht, Chief Secretary, IG, Home additional chief secretary, Specialized Health secretary, Primary Health secretary and heads of relevant departments were also present on the occasion.
After taking a briefing on the latest situation in Covid-19, Raja Basharat said that precautions are very important to maintain the trend of reduction in the pandemic and complete eradication. He said that corona SOPs in cattle markets should be strictly enforced, the administration should eliminate illegal markets in the streets and effective media awareness campaign should be launched on the implementation of Corona SOPs in cattle markets.
Raja Basharat directed the Health Department to prepare SOPs for Eid-ul-Azha prayers, sacrificial gatherings and anticipated entrance tests for medical colleges. The Cabinet Committee agreed on a proposal to start smart testing of teachers in August before the opening of educational institutions in September and to negotiate SOPs and conditions with the business and trade organizations.
Raja Basharat said, “We have to work hard to revive the economy and employment badly affected by Covid-19. The proposal to open hotels, wedding halls and tourist centers with certain conditions and SOPs was also considered to provide relief to traders from lockdown. Raja Basharat said that private hospitals and test laboratories have also played a valuable role against corona.
He said that precautionary measures are needed to prevent dengue as well as corona in the rainy season. At the end of the meeting, Fateha was offered for the soul of Nishtar Medical University VC Dr Mustafa Kamal Pasha who passed away with corona.