‘Observe SOPs despite end of lockdown’

“The virus still exists,” says Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazl Pechuho

KARACHI:

Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazl Pechuho urged the public on Thursday to continue to exercise precaution and observe standard operating procedures (SOPs) devised in connection with the pandemic, despite the government lifting the lockdown.

In a video statement, the health minister said that lifting the lockdown did not mean that the coronavirus had been eradicated and observing SOPs was still necessary. She underlined that the lockdown had been lifted keeping in view the economic difficulties faced by a large section of society and not because the pandemic had ended.

“The virus still exists,” she said, appealing to people to continue wearing masks, only step outside when necessary and wash hands regularly, while taking other precautionary measures. As many as 360 fresh Covid-19 cases were reported in Sindh on Thursday, while 10 more patients succumbed to the disease.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2020.