Govt calls in army to help enforce SOPs

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Surge in Covid-19 cases
Warns of India-like situation if carelessness continues: Asad warns 90pc of oxygen stocks utilised
Warning that Pakistan can face the same situation as in India, Prime Minister Imran Khan has appealed to the people to adhere to the government-prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the spread of Covid-19.
In a televised address after chairing a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on Covid-19 on Friday, Prime Minister Khan said if the SOPs are not followed, the government will be compelled to impose a lockdown. “If a lockdown is imposed the working class will suffer the most,” he added.
“The situation in India is worsening as people are not getting enough oxygen. Pakistan could also face a similar situation if the SOPs are not followed,” the prime minister warned, adding “If the situation becomes the same as India, we can close down cities”.
“I appeal to the public to follow the SOPs religiously. The lockdown could be avoided if the people cooperate and take precautions,” he stressed, advising the masses to put on masks while venturing out.
The prime minister announced that the government will seek the Pakistan Army’s help to enforce the SOPs.
Addressing concerns about the slow pace of Covid-19 vaccination, he said there is a shortage of vaccine worldwide, assuring that the government is trying its level best to procure the vaccine for the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan urged the general public to strictly follow SOPs to stay safe from the coronavirus. He said that pressure on the health system is increasing as the third wave is spreading very fast than that of the previous waves. He said, “The intensity of the pandemic is increasing in the society, therefore; we need to be more cautious.”
Speaking alongside the premier, Federal Minister for Planning and Development and head of the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC), Asad Umar announced that Pakistan Army would be on the roads to enforce Covid-19 SOPs in the country amid concerns over rising virus cases.
“Pakistan Army will be on the roads and will help Rangers and police in enforcement of the virus-related SOPs,” he said while sharing details with the media.
Sharing an alarming situation, Asad Umar said that the country has already utilized 90 percent of the available oxygen stocks. He, however, said that steps would be taken to improve the oxygen supply.
The NCOC head said that the country is witnessing a surge in COVID cases and plans are in the making to impose further travel restrictions from abroad. “Effective testing will also be performed on the travelers from abroad,” he said.
Umar said that restaurants will remain closed until Eid, with complete ban on indoor and outdoor dine-in. “We have restricted attendance in offices to 50 percent with duty hours restricted to 2:00pm,” he said adding that the business centres will be closed by 6:00pm in the country in the wake of rising cases.
“Shopping will only be allowed in the morning,” he said while urging citizens to avoid waiting for the last three to five days for Eid shopping. He further shared that all schools in areas witnessing a positivity rate of five percent will remain shut.
In a tweet after the NCC meeting, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Prime Minister Imran Khan has called in the Pakistan Army to help enforce the SOPs in cities.
“We are already utilising 90pc of our oxygen production capacity. Lahore is the worst affected,” he added, advising the people to take precautionary measures as there is no other way to keep the virus at bay.