SPECIAL Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan on Monday warned that the Coronavirus cases may increase in Pakistan if negligence is shown towards virus curbs and preventive measures. He acknowledged that the country is reporting a steady decline in the COVID-19 cases for the past few weeks but emphasized that the slightest carelessness on the part of the people can lead to the re-emergence of the pandemic.
It is a timely warning by the most relevant person and expert and needs to be given due consideration by all segments of the society. The Government has already lifted most of the Corona-related curbs and has committed to removing the remaining as well provided there is no surge in cases especially after Moharram. However, it has been observed that neither the sectors and businesses concerned nor people/customers are following the safety precautions. Not to speak of use of hand sanitizers and the practice of frequent hand wash, people are not even wearing masks, which is basic requirement in effectively checking the spread of the virus. In this backdrop, it is encouraging that the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has prepared a detailed plan of action for management of the holy month of Muharram and compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic but much depends on actual implementation of the plan and active cooperation of the people. The Government is also being pressurized by private schools to open educational institutions without further delay but there are question marks whether or not the schools are prepared to implement the same safety and precautionary measures as are being practised by schools in other countries.
