Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Prime Minister Imran Khan has given the fellow countrymen a five-point plan to fight the war against novel coronavirus which has infected at least 237 people amid fears of a larger outbreak.
Addressing the nation in a televised address on Tuesday night, the premier said: “We as a nation need to win this war against coronavirus”. He asked the people to adopt five precautionary measures to overcome the highly contagious disease.
He said everyone must avoid gatherings of more than 40 people, specially those behind closed doors.
Handshaking must also be avoided as the contagion can easily spread through physical contact.
The prime minister advised those arriving from abroad to go in a 14-day self-quarantine.
In a bid to lessen burden on healthcare staff, only those with severe symptoms should visit hospitals for coronavirus testing as every flu and cough is not COVID-19, said PM Imran. Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the nation not to panic, telling them to act responsibly as the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the country.
Telling the nation not to panic, the prime minister said that the virus was dangerous for old people since it attacked their already-weakened immune system. PM Imran urged people not to panic, saying that 97% of the affectees recovered from the virus.
He paid tribute to the Government of Balochistan and the Pakistan Army for ensuring that pilgrims arriving from Taftan were quarantined. PM Imran said that the government was following the coronavirus situation closely.
The prime minister spoke about the coronavirus situation around the world, saying that the US, Italy and England have reacted differently to the virus. However, he said that Pakistan cannot afford the same response as European countries.
“Our economic situation is very fragile,” he said. “If we close down the country, what will happen to the poor? People will die of hunger here,” he said. Imran said that his government took the difficult decision to prohibit public gatherings and ban events where public showed up in huge numbers such as the Pakistan Super League 2020.
The prime minister said that while the government and people will have to take precautions, he said that people should know that the virus will spread.
“Get it through your heads, the virus will spread,” he said during the address.
“Bear in mind that this virus will spread,” cautioned PM Imran Khan in his address to the nation.
The prime minister said that an economic committee will determine how the government can cope with the coronavirus situation. PM Imran said that he feared food prices will once again rise as profiteers and hoarders will again resume illicit activities.
“I want to warn these people [profiteers, hoarders] not to make money from the people’s misery,” he said. “The state will take stern action against you.” He said that the virus was spreading in countries and the government was studying responses of other governments and how they were acting to eliminate the pandemic.
The prime minister urged people to join hands with the government in its ‘war’ against the novel infection and act responsibly. He urged people to avoid large gatherings and refrain from shaking hands with each other.
PM Imran urged the nation not to panic and said that every person should not get himself/herself tested based on only mild flu symptoms. He said that testing kits should be used for only people who were really suffering from the novel virus.
“Aap ne ghabrana nahi hai [You don’t need to panic],” he said. “It is our belief that life and death are in the hands of Allah.” He praised the efforts of doctors and nurses and said that the government will help them in their ‘Jihad’ against the coronavirus. Imran said that he understood the plight of overseas Pakistanis at this hour, especially the Pakistani students who were stranded in Wuhan.
The prime minister addressed the country’s Ulema and said that it was their responsibility to play a positive role in the crisis.
