‘Covid-19 compliance week’ commences today

Govt officials to strictly enforce all guidelines

ISLAMABAD:

With the number of novel coronavirus cases continuing to rise exponentially, the government has decided to launch a week of ‘compliance’ from today to strictly enforce all guidelines regarding the pandemic.

An official of the federal health ministry said that they aim to ensure the proper implementation of its anti-novel coronavirus (Covid-19) strategies to contain the virus, particularly the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for preventing its spread, in the coming week. Provincial governments will also be asked to support the federal government in this regard, he said. He added that all local administrations have been asked to observe the compliance week in their respective cities and raise awareness about protective measures listed by the government to stop the spread of the virus. “Citizens are implored to follow the SOPs” such as social distancing, using hand sanitisers or frequently washing hands with soap and water and wearing face masks in public places,” he said, adding that there was a dire need to follow preventive measures in the coming weeks as cases continue to rise in several cities. In the federal capital, another 474 cases were registered yesterday, taking the total number of Covid-19 infections to 31,639. There were three associated deaths reported as well, taking the toll to 332.

The health official complained that there are reports that SOPs are being defied in commercial areas as people are not wearing face mask. The official urged the citizens to support the efforts of the government in its fight against Covid-19 so that it can move towards a relaxation policy and continue business activities once the cases go down. He shared that the government's guidelines address specific health and safety concerns related to the spread of Covid-19, placing protective protocols into practice for shopping in markets and dining at restaurants. The official reiterated that the pandemic spread across the world due to physical interaction, adding that preventive measures play an important role in reducing the infection transmission and ease the burden on healthcare facilities.