The focus of NCOC session with provinces chaired by Mr Asad Umer, Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiative on 4th June 2020 was on ‘SOPs, compliance, strict administrative actions being implemented and enforcement of various strands of Track, Trace and Quarantine (TTQ) Strategy’.
The provincial chief secretaries including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Thursday informed the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) that strict administrative action has been initiated against the violators of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and social distancing in public places and high risk areas of markets, public transport and industrial sectors.
The NCOC meeting chaired by Minister for Planning Development Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar discussed the implementation of SOPs, safety and quarantine guidelines to avoid spread of coronavirus with the provincial chief secretaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Asad said the heart of the strategy to contain the risk of the contagion was to ensure ‘SOPs Compliance and Enforcement of Quarantine Measures’. He added that all measures should be implemented swiftly to make the strategy a success in overcoming the risk of the outbreak spread.
Chief Secretary Punjab told the forum that strict SOPs and social distancing would be ensured whereas on violation the entire market, business centre and plaza would be sealed. He added that around Rs 6.5 lac fines were also imposed on the transport sector for violating SOPs whereas a fine would also be imposed on not wearing face masks at public places and high risk areas.
Chief Secretary Sindh informed the forum that business centres, bazaars and markets violating the SOPs and safety guidelines were issued strict warning notices.
Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mentioned that public compliance of SOPs and safety measures was not satisfactory rather careless attitude was witnessed. He added that the decisions made in NCC meeting on 1st June and NCOC sessions on 2nd and 3rd June 2020, were sent for implementation to provincial administration. In this context, two complete markets in various districts including Peshawar were sealed on violating safety protocols. “Around 25,000, ‘No Masks No Service’ informative banners and slings have been displayed across the province to make awareness among the masses to comply wearing masks.”
Chief Secretary Balochistan informed the forum that keeping in view the increasing number of positive cases after opening of the shops the provincial administration has prepared a comprehensive plan to initiate stringent action against violation of SOPs and safety measures.
Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan apprised the forum that smart lockdown strategy was implemented earlier that helped in minimizing disease spread. “A fine of Rs100 is being imposed on the person not wearing mask in public places and three face masks instead are provided to volunteers on spot to follow the safety protocol. The people have generally welcomed the initiate.”
AJK Chief Secretary briefed the forum that transport was opened in the valley with SOPs compliance whereas effective contact tracing was being carried to trace affected patients and their close contacts; community mobilization and RSPN are also contributing effectively.
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