The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) Wednesday, while reviewing the coronavirus situation in the country following easing down of the restrictions last week, has warned the public to follow the guidelines otherwise strict lockdown will be imposed.
The NCOC meeting was held here under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar to review and discuss the Covid-19 situation in Pakistan.
The minister remarked that the lockdown was eased for public convenience along with the condition of the SOPs to be followed at the optimum level.
Umar said, while the restrictions have been eased for the public, the risk of a surge in cases remains high, adding that implementation of safety measures must be ensured at any cost.
The NCOC hailed all the provincial representatives for ensuring strict compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and making public aware to follow the guidelines to contain the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NCOC in its significant meeting discussed the progress of post May 9, situation at the provincial level.
He said the SOPs were shared with the construction units and industries given relaxation in the lockdown to sustain their business activities.
A full fledge media campaign based on the safety guidelines and protocols was also being aired through print, radio, electronic and digital media for the mobilization of general public, he added.
The chief secretaries of four provinces as well as chief secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan and chief secretary Azad Jammu and Kashmir informed the meeting that the markets have become crowded due to Eidul Fitr, however, public awareness campaigns have been launched through every digital platform including radio, television channels and social media.
Maintaining that the provinces should play their full role in ensuring the health and safety of the people by enforcing the implementation of the SOPs, Umar directed the chief secretaries to speed up the arrangements within three to four days as Eid was approaching.
"It is the responsibility of the public to comply with the SOPs and not risk the lives of their loved ones, community and society in general," the minister said, adding that taking up responsibility individually was the only way to prevent the health hazard standing head of us collectively.