National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday asked all the provincial representatives to ensure strict compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) amid the public awareness campaign and to follow all the guidelines to contain the risk of COVID-19 spread. The NCOC in its daily meeting headed by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar reviewed the post 9 May situation at the provincial level.
The provincial chief secretaries including Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) apprised the forum that safety guidelines and protocols were being shared with the masses. They also reported that the public presence in the markets had increased due to Eid shopping.
Speaking on the occasion, Asad Umar said the lockdown had been eased for public convenience with the condition of SOPs to be followed at the optimum level. He said that the SOPs were shared with the construction units and industries had been given relaxation in the lockdown to sustain their business activities. A media campaign based on the safety guidelines and protocols was also being aired through print, radio, electronic and digital media portals for the general public, he added. He remarked that the provinces should ensure effective compliance of the safety protocols as it was the only effective tool to contain the risk of pandemic spread in the country. Asad Umar said that the lockdown had been eased but the risk of the contagion was still present.
The members at the Forum emphasized that the people should follow the guidelines issued by the doctors and health experts for the protection of their families, neighbourhood and society at large as responsible individuals to overcome the contagion.
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