The mitigating measures required to deal with Pakistan's unique socio-economic conditions need to be implemented strictly, said senior epidemiologist Dr Rana Jawad Asghar.
"We have to maintain a balance, if we save 5,000 lives through a complete lockdown then what if more than that dies of hunger," he said, adding that keeping in view the ground realities in the country a complete lockdown is not the appropriate option.
Dr Asghar Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Global Health Strategists & Implementers (GHSI) further stated that in the event a curfew is imposed then there is a danger of violating the curfew.
He said that the government needs to take steps to make the public aware of the need for self-isolation, social distancing, and avoiding shaking hands. "The district administration needs to ban large gatherings including wedding ceremonies, birthday parties and socio-religious gatherings", he said.
Asghar said that the virus has taken the greatest toll on Italy's elderly population. Figures released by the Health Institute of Italy indicate that 86 percent of fatalities were among those aged over 70 adding, "We need to take extreme care of our elders as they are more vulnerable."
Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Aamir Ali Ahmed told Business Recorder that so far there is no plan of a complete lockdown of the city but following the instructions of Ministry of Interior the timing of restaurants and malls have been regulated and all are to close by 10pm. However, this restriction will not apply to restaurants and food outlets for food delivery and takeaways.
All public dealing offices including National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), Directorate of Immigration and passport, excise and taxation department, Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) driving licence branch, revenue centers, beauty parlors, and saloons are closed for the next 15 days by order of the Ministry of Interior.
Capital Development Authority (CDA) has allocated 40 kanals to Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for setting up a field hospital and has closed parks, shrines, gyms, pools and playing areas of kids, he said.
As preventive measures against the spread of coronavirus a social distancing policy has been approved for public sector employees. The secretary, additional secretary of all ministries, divisions and heads of attached department, organisations have been authorized to prepare a strategy and implement it within their respective domain.
Employees over 50 years of age or suffering from an illness have been allowed to work from home, he said, adding that all the day care centers in public offices have been closed and mothers have been allowed to work from home. About the decision to convert selected hotels and hostels into quarantine facility, he said that NDMA has not taken a final decision in this regard.
During a meeting presided over by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat it was decided that all public and private hospitals in the city will set up isolation wards with necessary equipment and rapid response units for quick action against suspected cases of coronavirus. Police will be deputed at all public and private hospitals to deal with any security situation.
Shafqaat in his tweet said that in order to implement the restricted contact policy people have already been arrested at a wedding ceremony. "It's unfortunate and difficult but we have no other way to ensure that people stay at home and do not violate legal orders," he said. He further said, "Our teams are conducting raids on a daily basis to ensure availability of masks and hands sanitizers."