Rising Covid cases could shutdown services

The government could be forced to shutdown the services sector in the country yet again as the Covid positivity rate continues to climb and deaths from the virus increase with each day.

A statement issued by the Ministry of National Health Services said that the National Command and Operation Centre was monitoring the situation closely and warned that it will have no choice but to take strict action if there is no improvement in the compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

It said that the situation was quickly getting out of hand as people are not following the strict operating procedures in the country and added that some strict punishments could be announced for those refusing to follow the SOPs.

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Moreover, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan the situation was getting difficult in cities like Karachi, Hyderabad, Multan, Islamabad, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and Gilgit.

“If the masses continue to violate health protocols, we can face a similar situation as seen in June this year. It is our collective responsibility to avoid such a situation from arising,” Dr. Sultan said.

Shopkeepers have pasted the sign ‘No Mask No Entry’ outside their outlets, but this is not being followed. It is feared that the number of cases might increase rapidly as 19 people died of the virus throughout the country on Oct 20. I fear that we will have to impose restrictions again if people continue to violate health protocols, he said.

Pakistan’s positivity ratio has increased in the last two weeks as the people have given up on wearing masks or maintaining social distancing. The government was lauded by the international health agencies as well as the government for its exemplary handling of the virus but all of that would be undone if people fail to follow SOPs.