Flouting SOPs could result in virus spike: CM

Says the government is trying to maintain a delicate balance between the lockdown and fighting poverty

PESHAWAR: The novel coronavirus (Covid-19) situation could further aggravate after an ease in lockdown introduced by the provincial government last week, with the government warning that strict implementation of precautionary measures was required to avoid the spread of the virus.

This was stated by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in a statement issued on Sunday. The chief minister hoped that citizens demonstrate utmost responsibility by adopting all precautionary measures issued by the administration in this regard.

CM Mahmood said that if the public fails to follow guidelines for containing the virus, the relaxation in the restrictions could make the situation dangerous.

He appealed that everyone should strictly follow physical distancing guidelines in their day-to-day activities, especially in public dealing.

“In view of the difficulties faced by the public, especially the vulnerable segments of the society due to restrictions, the government has decided to ease the lockdown. But it must not be misconstrued as the pandemic ending and situation returning to normalcy,” the chief minister clarified.

The chances of a massive increase in the number of Covid-19 patients are high after the lockdown was lifted and therefore, he said, the public should be extremely careful.

“Keeping in view the ground realities of the province and the financial problems faced by the people, we cannot afford to have a complete lockdown,” the chief minister remarked.

He said the government is trying to maintain a delicate balance between the lockdown and fighting poverty.

Meanwhile, the Adviser to K-P Chief Minister on Information Ajmal Wazir said that the provincial government has issued clear directions and violation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during relaxation in the lockdown will never be tolerated.

The adviser informed that the lockdown was relaxed but in case of non-implementation of the SOPs, businesses would be sealed.

The adviser also visited different barber and salon shops in the provincial capital. Speaking to the media, Wazir said that the lockdown could be relaxed further if the public followed the guidelines for avoiding the spread of the virus.

The advisor informed that the government has allowed barbers and salon shops to continue their business activities for seven days a week.

The K-P Health Department in its daily situation report on Sunday said that 214 new patients of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the province. The report said out of the total, nine are from international flights quarantine centre after which the toll of coronavirus cases has reached to 6,061. At least 13 people have died of the Covid-19 in the past 24 hours in the province. At least eight people died of the virus in Peshawar, two in Swat, one each in Swabi, Karak, Kohat taking the total to 318. At least 84 patients recovered in the last 24 hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2020.