Adapting to ‘new normal’ deemed critical

Health secretary says 70m people to be vaccinated by year’s end

The biggest challenge for Pakistan after the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) is to adapt to a ‘new normal’ to protect every individual from the pandemic.

Experts maintained this while sharing their views with the participants of the webinar ‘Life after Covid-19: Are we ready to opt for a new normal?’ organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Tuesday.

Ministry of National Health Parliamentary Secretary Dr Nousheen Hamid maintained that efforts to raise mass awareness at every level were imperative to adapt to this ‘new normal’ as a nation.

She added that the government had planned a massive vaccination programme and claimed that by the end of 2021, about 70 million people are expected to be vaccinated.

Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat was of the view that we could adapt to the ‘new normal’ only when people start following all standard operating procedures (SOPs) as the new way of life.

He said that the government could not invade private life to ensure that SOPs are being followed properly.

"Therefore, cooperation from the public is critical for a successful response to the pandemic instead of showing resistance to administrative measures," he added.