President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday expressed grave concern over violations of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) throughout the country.
He said that the compliance of guidelines was immensely important to prevent the fourth wave of the coronavirus and reduce its negative effects.
The president said this while chairing a meeting at the Governor House on the Covid-19 situation and development projects in Sindh province.
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar also attended the meeting.
President Alvi said that the guidelines of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) were not followed on the occasion of Namaz-e-Eid at Faisal mosque Islamabad and Covid-19 SOPs were being ignored
He also advised people to get vaccinated against coronavirus as soon as possible and also strictly observe the NCOC guidelines to stop the further spread of coronavirus.
The president stressed on the need for the people to play a role in these testing times and take precautionary measures against coronavirus during their gatherings.
He said that Sindh Governor Imran Ismail should convene a meeting of the Ulema and scholars before the holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram to ensure observance of Covid-19 SOPs during gatherings including religious congregations.
Read more: Sindh tightens Covid curbs again
Alvi said that the federal government is pursuing a sustainable development agenda for Sindh.
He also stressed the need to ensure the participation of the people of Sindh to achieve social development and sustainable management of resources for poverty alleviation.
He highly appreciated the efforts of the federal government for development schemes for Karachi and other districts of Sindh.
Federal Minister for Planning and Development and Special Initiatives Asad Omar also gave a detailed briefing on the situation of the fourth wave of coronavirus in the country.
Omar said that there are clear signs of the beginning of a fourth wave in the country.
He said that the number of coronavirus cases is on the rise due to poor compliance of Covid-19 SOPs
He continued that the arrival of the delta variant of the coronavirus in the country was another alarming sign.
He said that the government is pursuing a two-pronged strategy to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Omar added that the NCOC guidelines to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 will be strictly enforced in big cities, especially at tourists destinations.
"People are being encouraged to wear face masks, avoid crowded places, and get vaccinated against the coronavirus," Asad Omar concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2021.
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