The authorities across Pakistan have imposed 3,497 smart lockdowns in 103 districts in order to contain any resurgence of the coronavirus in the country.

National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Tuesday stressed for declaring wearing of masks mandatory in public gatherings like other countries to bound public for adhering to COVID-19 related SOPs.

The Forum also suggested for imposing fines on masses to ensure the wearing of masks in public gatherings and keeping social distance to avoid contracting novel coronavirus.

The meeting presided over by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Chairman NCOC Asad Umar, was also attended by the National Coordinator NCOC, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, Minister for Interior Syed Ejaz Shah, Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, while the chief secretaries of provinces also participated through video link.

During the meeting, the participants reviewed the overall situation of novel outbreak in the country, measures taken to prevent people from it and suggestions for further improvement.

During the meeting, it was agreed that we should emphasized in compliance with SOPs specially wearing masks and the media should be engaged in that regard.

The Forum was apprised that 3,497 smart lockdowns have been imposed in 103 districts across Pakistan. It was also told that 52 percent of corona tests were being done due to the proactive strategy of Trace, Test and Quarantine (TTQ) strategy.

Asad Umar said that actions have consequences and so far we as a nation in cooperation with all stakeholders have taken the right steps which helped us in saving precious lives and contain disease spread.

Asad further told that people’s proactive response had been the key point so far in successfully preventing the COVID-19 spread. The people of Pakistan had shown great maturity and responsibility to not only protect themselves but following guidelines to ensure other’s safety and wellbeing, he added.

Asad Umar paid great tribute to the media for their effective messaging for behaviour change and help in reaching out to the masses. The people of Pakistan and the media were two important pillars that made the entire effort a success, he lauded.

Asad Umar said that risk mitigation is important to check possibly the second wave of corona in the country. He emphasized that in light of NCC meeting yesterday, there was a need to ensure safety measures including wearing of face mask and following health guidelines.

Chief Secretary Sindh apprised the forum that we were monitoring education and marriage halls and administrative measures will be ensured in line of health guidelines issued by NCOC.

While Chief Secretary KP told the forum that they had taken administrative measures against certain restaurants and marriage halls for violations of COVID protocols.

In his talk, Chief Secretary Balochistan apprised the forum that due to following NCOC TTQ strategy there was positive improvement in pandemic cases in Balochistan.