Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday chaired a meeting of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief ministers via video link to review the coronavirus situation in the two provinces.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza briefed the meeting about the virus statistics, its spread in the hotspots, rate of testing and availability of medical facilities to cater to the needs of the virus patients.

The meeting was also briefed about availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for doctors and paramedics and measures needed to improve health facilities in both provinces.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that they had to strike a balance in the efforts to save people from hunger and coronavirus. “Lockdown is only a temporary measure to avoid coronavirus, not a cure,” he said, adding that they had to take decisions keeping in view the ground realities. He said that the shutdown of business caused unbearable losses to the country’s economy.

Terming coronavirus a reality, Imran Khan stressed upon the masses to adopt preventive measures to avoid it. “We have to implement the standard operating procedures (SOPs) at all costs,” he said stressing the need to launch a mass awareness campaign about the preventive measures. He directed the provincial authorities to ensure that police treat the masses in a friendly manner during the lockdown.