Dubai: As the number of coronavirus deaths in Pakistan jumped to 100, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to extend the countrywide lockdown for the next two weeks in a bid to combat the COVID-19.
He said certain industries such as construction will, however, be opened, starting Wednesday.
It means all other businesses, transport, schools and public places will remain closed for the next weeks — until April 30.
In his televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Imran said that the provincial government can take decision about the lockdown according to their needs. “Owing to the restrictions we imposed, the did not spread as expected in the country as we have far less cases and deaths in the country compared to what had been projected,” he said. Imran addressed the nation after chairing the Federal Cabinet Meeting and the National Coordinaation Committee (NCC) meeting on Tuesday. The meetings reviewed the COVID-19 and the economic situation in the country. Prime Minister Imran calls it a partial lockdown.
Coronavirus cases
“According to the projections, some 191 people should have died so far with more than 18,000 cases but we have half the number of predicted deaths and only 30 per cent of projected cases,” he noted.
The numbe COVID-19 confirmed cases on Tuesday has reached 5,782 with 2,826 cases in Punjab, 1,518 in Sindh, 800 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 231 in Balochistan, 233 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 131 in Islamabad, and 43 in Pakistan Administered Kashmir. At least 100 people have died while 1,370 coronavirus patients have recovered so far.
About extending the lockdown, Prime Minister Imran Khan said: ”We should still all be careful because this virus can spread rapidly at any time”.
Partial lockdown
After the NCC meeting attending by the country’s top civil and military leadership in Islamabad, Prime Minister also announced to open the construction and manufacturing industries.
“Consensus have been reached among all provinces and Centre over the reopening of some business sector in the country particularly construction industry,” he added.
Ordinance against hoarding
Prime Minister Imran also warned businesses against hoarding and smuggling. “We are going to issue an ordinance to introduce laws to take stern action against smuggling and hoarding of goods,” he said. He noted that hoarding and smugglings are major challenges facing the country. “I warn all those stop hoarding goods ahead of Ramadan. Strict action will be taken against the owner of the companies found involved in these crimes,” he reiterated.
About allowing prayers in mosques and plans for Taraweh prayers in Ramadan, Imran said that he would meet religious scholars to formulate a plan for the Ramadan so that citizens can observe the holy month without fear of the coronavirus spreading further.
Food shortage
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference Dr Firdous Ashiq Awarn, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister said that an ordinance against illegal profiteering, hoarding, and smuggling would ensure food safety in the country. She said the cabinet had ratified the Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) decisions and that strict punishment would be given to those who hoarded food items and grains, especially in light of the recent sugar and wheat crises.
