Despite much skepticism, some optimistic conclusions can be safely drawn regarding the smart lock-down strategy which has resulted in the Covid-19 losing its aggressiveness in Pakistan. Reports from hospitals nationwide support the drastic drop in critical admissions and infectivity ratios over the last few weeks. Foreign agencies like the Prometric Examination Center have finally announced their reopening in a few weeks owing to the improved situation.
The government and civilians must not however lose cautiousness and get ahead of themselves.
Upcoming annual traditions and holidays could turn into potential obstacles and exacerbate the yet fragile situation. The local and provincial governments should unanimously issue semi-lockdown orders with strict avoidance of mass gatherings on specific days in the greater interest of the nation. After consulting with senior relevant clerics, a national consensus must be achieved. If Saudi Arabia can find logic and meaning behind cancelling an event like Hajj, then local decisions harbouring similar logic and meaning must not pose a problem for us.
Now is the time for all entities involved to sit together and reach a peaceful consensus in the best interest of all Pakistanis so that this newfound relief from the Covid-19 crisis is sustained. It would depict unprofessionalism and carelessness if Pakistan were to go backward from this point. We must exhibit hyper vigilance in continuing to follow SOPs and social distancing measures until our Covid-19 curve finally plateaus and flattens out.
Taimoor Khalid Janjua
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, August 5th, 2020.
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