NCOC directs provinces to gear up for Eid

A special session of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) held in the capital of Sindh on Saturday directed the provinces to ensure strict compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) on Eidul Azha and during the holy month of Muharramul Haram along with encouraging public adherence to safety guidelines.

“The purpose of holding special sessions in provinces is to make consultations on core issues with provincial governments and acknowledge their efforts in the fight against Covid-19,” Planning Minister Asad Umar, who is also the NCOC chairman, said while addressing the meeting at the Sindh Chief Minister House.

Umar was flanked by Federal Minister for Interior Brig (retd) Ejaz Ahmed Shah, NCOC National Coordinator Lieutenant General Hamooduz Zaman Khan and central team of the forum.

Sindh ministers for health, education, local government, inspector general of police Sindh, chief secretaries and representatives of other provinces, Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir attended the meeting via video link.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah while hosting the NCOC exclusive session welcomed the NCOC central team and said that the role of the NCOC in coping with the pandemic was significant.

“Trading and sacrificing animals in the streets has been banned during Eidul Azha and sacrificial animals can only be traded at designated locations,” the chief minister apprised the meeting. “Selective lockdowns are being carried out in areas with clusters of cases.”

Murad said that the NCOC sessions in the provincial capitals would enhance coordination and prove helpful for provincial management in fighting the pandemic.

“The Sindh government has set up two separate hospitals in Karachi for Covid-19 patients,” the chief minister said. “Covid-19 tests are being conducted [daily] in Sindh at a capacity of 12,000 and the test ratio has decreased a bit.”

However, at the outset of coronavirus outbreak, he said, the provincial governments were facing issues related to hospitals' facilities for Covid treatment, which were collectively resolved by the federal and provincial governments.

He added that the health facilities were in a better position and there was a need to take preemptive measures to manage Eidul Azha, Muharram and Rabiul Awwal.

The NCOC chairman said wearing masks and compliance with SOPs along with a monitoring mechanism in place were crucial in cattle markets to contain coronavirus pandemic.

"Decline in Covid patients' deaths and cases does not mean getting complacent and avoid following safety protocols as it will further deteriorate the situation."

Umar added that the doctors, paramedics, administration and law enforcement agencies of Sindh, including all provinces, had rendered meritorious services that deserve appreciation.

Interior Minister Ejaz said all provinces were engaged in the process of devising SOPs and guidelines whereas implementation was also being ensured.

“Guidelines were shared with provinces where punitive action was launched against illegal cattle markets,” Ijaz said. “A strong control mechanism would also be in place to ensure strict compliance with SOPs at cattle markets.”

He added that the guidelines for the holy month of Muharram were also under way and would be shared with the provinces.

The forum lauded the test and tracing mechanism of Sindh and also acknowledged that it had tremendously implemented the test, trace and quarantine (TTQ) strategy.