ISLAMABAD – Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has expressedthe confidence that the decision to ease lockdown in phased manner will beimplemented with the national spirit of unity.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Sunday, he said the decisionwas taken in consultation with all the federating units. He said big policylevel decisions have been taken and now it is time for their implementation.
The Minister for Planning expressed satisfaction that the people have actedwith responsibility but they now need to more strictly follow theprecautionary measures after the easing of restrictions to avoid the spreadof the virus. He said the decision of easing restrictions was taken toprovide livelihoods to the people.
Asad Umar said the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has beenworking since 31st of March without any break to take the timely decisionsand actions to address the situation arising out of Coronavirus.
Asad Umar said the testing capacity is considerably being enhanced and13500 tests were carried out on Saturday (May 9, 2020). He said there arenow seventy labs fully equipped to carry out Corona Virus tests. Currentlythere are eighty-five people on the ventilators and 165 on oxygen.
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The Minister for Planning said a system is being developed in order toensure efficient response in case the Coronavirus cases spike in the comingdays. He expressed satisfaction that the trajectory of Corona Virus casesis not as serious as has been witnessed in some other countries. He howeversaid that we are preparing for the worst situation. A portal will soon bemade operational to update record of hospitals and patients.
The Minister said that smart lockdown is being enforced only in hotspotareas. Currently, the smart lockdown is in place in 359 areas of Punjab and177 areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Asad Umar said we are also engaging with the rural support programs notonly to create awareness amongst the rural population about the contagionbut also to provide relief to the deserving families.
