Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Following the ease in lockdown since May 9, it is now the public’s responsibility to comply with all the standard operating procedures, and take care of the health of their family, society and community at large, said Federal Minister Asad Umar on Wednesday.
Individual responsibility was the only way to ensure protection against the coronavirus and collective health [of the people], he added.
Umar was addressing the meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre, called to review the situation that emerged since the government eased the lockdown on May 9.
Provincial chief secretaries apprised the forum of the developments since the unwinding began on Saturday. They informed that the markets were heavily crowded, particularly with Eidul Fitr coming up. They put forth their difficulties in enforcing the SOPs and guidelines set in place by the federation and the provinces.
“The lockdown has been eased to facilitate the masses,” said Umar. The threat of the pandemic persists and anti-Covid-19 directives and SOPs have been sent to all provinces, he stressed.
The federal minister insisted that implementation of SOPs needed to be ensured, while adding that public awareness drives were also being broadcast on the radio and television channels, as well as on all digital forums.
According to Umar, the public is fully aware of the comprehensive SOPs devised for every industry, including the construction industry and all factories and markets.He directed the provinces to ensure the implementation of SOPs, giving provincial chief secretaries three to four days. Umar urged the provinces and the public to play their due role and ensure the health and safety of the people and contain the spread of the pandemic.
