Umar says peoples' proactive response key to curbing Covid-19 so far

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said on Tuesday that people's proactive response had so far been key in controlling the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

During a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre, the federal minister said citizens had shown great maturity and responsibility to not only protect themselves, but also follow guidelines to ensure the safety of others.

The forum was apprised of 3,497 smart lockdowns being imposed in 103 districts across the country.

The meeting was informed that 52 per cent of Covid-19 tests were being carried out under the government's Trace, Test and Quarantine (TTQ) strategy.

"Actions have consequences and we as a nation have taken the right steps to save precious lives and contain the spread of the virus," the federal minister stated.

He lauded the media for effectively reaching out to the masses to influence a behavioural change in light of the novel coronavirus. "The people of Pakistan and the media are two important pillars which made the entire effort a success," he added.

The minister further stated that risk mitigation was important to check the possibility of a second wave in the country, adding that people must wear face masks to control the spread of the virus.

Sindh chief secretary informed the meeting that educational institutions and marriage halls are being observed to ensure that standard operating procedures (SOPs) were being implemented.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) secretary apprised the meeting that administrative measures had been taken against several restaurants and marriage halls for violating Covid-19 protocols.

In addition, the Balochistan chief secretary said there had been a positive improvement in Covid-19 cases in the province because of the use of the TTQ strategy.

Health guidelines for public gatherings

Later in the night, the NCOC issued comprehensive guidelines and standard operation procedures (SOPs) for almost all type of public gatherings except marriage and sports events to curb the spread of coronavirus

The NCOC said the guidelines have been prepared with input from all provincial authorities.

“Public gathering means where people are assembled on any given space; indoor or outdoor, for some purpose such as cultural events, religious gatherings, sports events, entertainment/cultural events, parties, political gatherings or other similar events,” it said in an official communiqué.

The NCOC said the public gatherings should be discouraged in view of their potential to become super spreaders – preferably no public gathering be held except those related to economic activity.

It said the indoor events should be held in “well-defined” venues which ensure implementation on Covid-19 SOPs including only allowing maximum 500 people or limited to 50 per cent venue capacity.

Duration of the event should not exceed three hours, it said, adding that all attendants should remain seated during an event while maintaining a distance of minimum 3 feet.

It further said no public gatherings to be held in cities where positivity ratio is consistently higher and is within “2nd Slab (6-9%) or above as laid down in instructions ‘Quantified Triggers & Corresponding NPIs’ already issued”.

Organisers will be responsible for ensuring compliance of SOPs particularly masks, social distancing and others.

Participants including children, elderly and people with underlying health issues should be discouraged to participate or people with Covid-19 or respiratory illness related symptoms must not be allowed to attend the event, the NCOC said.

It also clarified that marriage being frequent and obligatory activity has been excluded and a separate SOPs comprising strict restrictions has already been issued.