Pakistan’s testing capacity is increasing rapidly and the government will be able to do tests of 900,000 suspected coronavirus patients by April 15, says Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar.

At a briefing to the media on Tuesday, Umar said the federal cabinet had approved a Rs1.2 trillion relief package for those in need across the country.

Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar and Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Heath Dr Zafar Mirza were also present at the briefing where the media was informed about the measures taken by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Azhar said it was government’s priority is to ensure availability of essential items to people in this national crisis. “We have prepared a list of industries producing essential items and we will make sure that these industries remain open during the lockdown,” said the minister. “All provinces will follow the same policy in this regard,” he said.