No face-cover might lead to fine in Punjab
Local transmission of coronavirus increasing rapidly
A girl wearing a protective mask looks out from a train window as she returns to her hometown in Karachi. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
LAHORE:
As local transmission of coronavirus has started to increase rapidly, Punjab government has decided to strengthen enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOP) for the safety of people, The Express Tribune learnt on Sunday.
As per the decision of the Cabinet Committee for Coronavirus Control, a senior government officer highlighted, initially police officials and traffic wardens will warn citizens to cover their face and nose or wear face masks while they are outdoors and in markets. However, if citizens do not cooperate in adhering to the safety SOPs, a proposal is under consideration to impose penalty on the violators to ensure safety of the citizens.
Since the government has already opened most sectors, including industries, markets, shopping malls and offices, and recommended to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to give the go-ahead for reopening restaurants, banquet halls, tourist resorts and public parks, it has become necessary to take maximum precautions to arrest rapid spread of the disease.
The official highlighted that the number of new coronavirus patients has already started to swell to four digits, while an increasing number of people are losing the battle against the disease across Punjab. Total confirmed coronavirus cases have already surpassed 25,000 and 475 persons have expired owing to the highly contagious viral disease across the province. So far around 7,000 patients have recovered.
Responding to a question, he pointed out that all age groups and genders are equally vulnerable to coronavirus.
Answering another question, he said that currently there is no shortage of beds and medical facilities for coronavirus patients in the province. In a recent report on coronavirus pandemic, the WHO highlighted that local transmission of coronavirus has risen over 90% in Pakistan. As many as 3,039 cases surfaced during the past 24 hours. Statistics released on the official coronavirus portal show that the country has 42,742 active cases of the disease.
Official statistics indicate that so far 1,483 persons have lost their lives owing to coronavirus, including 88 during the past 24 hours. The death rate owing to coronavirus in Pakistan is estimate a little over 2%. So far 25,271 people have defeated the disease, including 1,140 citizens during last 24 hours. The current recovery rate in the country is over 36%.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2020.
As local transmission of coronavirus has started to increase rapidly, Punjab government has decided to strengthen enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOP) for the safety of people, The Express Tribune learnt on Sunday.
As per the decision of the Cabinet Committee for Coronavirus Control, a senior government officer highlighted, initially police officials and traffic wardens will warn citizens to cover their face and nose or wear face masks while they are outdoors and in markets. However, if citizens do not cooperate in adhering to the safety SOPs, a proposal is under consideration to impose penalty on the violators to ensure safety of the citizens.
Since the government has already opened most sectors, including industries, markets, shopping malls and offices, and recommended to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to give the go-ahead for reopening restaurants, banquet halls, tourist resorts and public parks, it has become necessary to take maximum precautions to arrest rapid spread of the disease.
The official highlighted that the number of new coronavirus patients has already started to swell to four digits, while an increasing number of people are losing the battle against the disease across Punjab. Total confirmed coronavirus cases have already surpassed 25,000 and 475 persons have expired owing to the highly contagious viral disease across the province. So far around 7,000 patients have recovered.
Responding to a question, he pointed out that all age groups and genders are equally vulnerable to coronavirus.
Answering another question, he said that currently there is no shortage of beds and medical facilities for coronavirus patients in the province. In a recent report on coronavirus pandemic, the WHO highlighted that local transmission of coronavirus has risen over 90% in Pakistan. As many as 3,039 cases surfaced during the past 24 hours. Statistics released on the official coronavirus portal show that the country has 42,742 active cases of the disease.
Official statistics indicate that so far 1,483 persons have lost their lives owing to coronavirus, including 88 during the past 24 hours. The death rate owing to coronavirus in Pakistan is estimate a little over 2%. So far 25,271 people have defeated the disease, including 1,140 citizens during last 24 hours. The current recovery rate in the country is over 36%.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2020.