ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that 884 areas of Pakistan have been placed under the smart lockdown with more than 200,000 people impacted due to restrictions.
While giving a media briefing from the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) in Islamabad on Saturday about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the minister said that more than 1,900 precious lives have so far been lost in Pakistan in this killer disease which shows the enormity and gravity of the situation.
Asad Umar said that work has been done to improve testing systems and now over 22,000 tests are being conducted daily.
The minister said that on February 8 when the first cases emerged there were only eight laboratories capable of testing people in the Country, adding added that this number has increased to dozens.
The planning and development minister said that the number of ventilators in the Country has seen two-fold increases in four months.
In addition, he said that scientific institutions of the Country in collaboration with the private sector have started producing face masks and protective clothing.
Asad Umar said that our first and foremost priority is to slow the pace of the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The minister said that two of the most important components of this strategy are to strictly follow the precautionary measures advised by the medical community and to bring changes in our lifestyles.
Asad Umar said that the second priority of the government is to improve health services for the people.
The planning minister urged the people to take precautionary measures against COVID-19 seriously to protect their lives and of others. He said that the people who are not adopting precautionary measures are not only risking their own lives, but also the lives of others with whom they come in contact with.
The minister said that district administrations across the Country have been directed to take strict action where people flout the rules and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
