At least 12,400 Covid-19 SOP violations recorded during last 24 hours

ISLAMABAD: At least 12,400 violations of standard operating procedures (SOPs), formulated to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, were recorded in the country over the previous 24-hour period.

Provinces appraised the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) regarding the smart lockdown and enforcement measures in various areas based on the trace, tests and quarantine (TTQ) strategy, according to a NCOC press release.

“More than 1,512 markets, 14 industries and cautioned, fined, sensitised or sealed,” the press release stated.

The chief secretaries of provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) representative participated via video link.

Elaborating on the break down of violations, about 865 were reported in AJK, 218 in G-B, 5,336 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), 3,682 in Punjab, 364 in ICT, 860 in Sindh whereas 1,075 were reported in Balochistan.

Earlier today, the federal government warned that strict action will be taken against overpricing or black marketing of life-saving drugs used by Covid-19 patients.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza said the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has been ordered to ensure the availability of medicines used to control the virus.

He said Tocilizumab (Actemra) and Remedesivir injections used for coronavirus patients will be distributed to critically ill patients.