Govt mulls strict SOPs compliance

Surfacing of Delta variant of Covid-19 sets alarm bells ringing for 4th wave

LAHORE:

Following the guidelines of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) and surfacing of the deadly Indian or delta variant of coronavirus in the province, Punjab government has decided to strictly enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) ahead of Eidul Azha to prevent the spread of the disease.

The government has already set up a control room in the Punjab Home Department for monitoring implementation of the coronavirus safety SOPs. All administrative authorities and the police have been instructed to constitute special teams to check coronavirus SOPs violation at public places, including markets, parks, restaurants and banquet halls.

The decision for strict implementation and observance of an enforcement week of the safety guidelines was made during a meeting presided over by Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid. The chief secretary, senior member of the Board of Revenue, additional chief secretary, additional chief secretary (home), secretaries of the health departmens, Lahore division commissioner, capital city police officer (CCPO) and deputy commissioner attended the meeting. Other divisional commissioners, regional police officers and deputy commissioners joined the session through video link.

The participants reviewed the coronavirus situation in the province.

Dr Rashid highlighted that vaccination as well as precautionary measures were essential to ward off the disease. She underlined that people should make it a habit to wear a mask and maintain social distance to avoid the spread of the disease. The purpose of observing the week is to contain the spread of the virus during the eid season, she maintained.

Read Covid curbs may return if SOPs violated, warns NCOC

The Punjab chief secretary said complacency on the occasion of Eidul Azha could trigger the fourth wave of the pandemic in the province. He asked the all deputy commissioners and district police officers (DPOs) to ensure strict implementation of coronavirus SOPs and submit a report daily in this regard. He indicated that in case of non-compliance with the precautions, stricter measures would have to be taken.

The chief secretary also expressed displeasure over a low rate of vaccination in some districts, including Kasur. He ordered immediate transfer of the Kasur Health Authority chief executive officer (CEO) over poor performance with regard to the vaccination process.

The province's top bureaucrat said the coronavirus vaccination campaign was a national cause and negligence in this regard would not be tolerated.

He lauded Gujranwala division for improving the speed of vaccination and issued instructions to the deputy commissioners of Kasur, Sahiwal, Okara, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khanewal, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan to improve the pace.

He warned that the deputy commissioner concerned would be held responsible if the vaccination targets were not met in a district.

The decisions came as the threat of fourth wave of cronavirus in Punjab became evident after the confirmation of 15 patients of the delta variant amid an increasing number of overall cases of the disease.

Punjab health department issued an alert to all districts along with instructions to make arrangements for expected smart lockdown.

At least 15 patients of delta variant were reported in various areas of Rawalpindi district. The patients were admitted to the Holy Family and Shaheed Benazir hospitals.

Punjab health department recommended lockdown in areas where cases of the delta variant had been confirmed. In last 24 hours, the percentage of oronavirus positive tests also increased after many days.

At least 121 news cases of the disease were confirmed in the province on July 1, followed by 153, 128, 146, 124, 162, 166 and 167 till July 9, while 206 cases were confirmed on Saturday. Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Sara Aslam also requested the people to "start following SOPs and avoid to go outside except for necessary work and avoid public gatherings. The ratio of coronavirus positive tests during the past day was 1.2 per cent for the province, including Lahore.

The official warned that the government might shut the areas drawing crowds if the people would not follow the guidelines.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2021.