NCOC issues warning for ‘another lockdown’ amid spike in COVID-19 cases

The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday issued a warning for another lockdown amid spike in COVID-19 cases in Pakistan.

During the session, the body noted a clear resurgence in virus cases and deaths in the country and warned an urgent and immediate need to ensure the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for prevention of the disease.

The body issued a statement today which reads: "NCOC is closely monitoring the situation. If there is no improvement in SOPs compliance observed, NCOC will have no choice but to revert to strict measures leading to re-closures of services."

The chief secretaries, who attended the meeting, were directed to "strictly implement" SOPs and were asked to take "strict punitive actions" in case of violation.

It also directed officials to put a "special focus" on the perceived high-risk sectors of transport, markets, marriage halls, restaurants and public gatherings.

"Wearing of mask and social distancing must be ensured. Administrative actions be initiated against violators," the NCOC told the chief secretaries.

Last week, Asad Umar had hinted that the government may have to re-impose lockdown in the country to curb the virus spread, which will have “negative effects” on the livelihoods of the people.

In a series of tweets on Thursday, Asad Umar had said the national positivity of COVID-19 cases was 2.37% a day earlier, which is the highest in more than 50 days.

These are the "unmistakable signs of the rise of corona" in Pakistan, he had noted.