Government to decide Monday whether to ease Covid-19 restrictions: Asad Umar

KARACHI: Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said on Saturday the government will decide on Monday whether or not to ease out the Covid-19 restrictions in the country.

Speaking at a media briefing along with Special Assistant to PM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, he said they would present suggestions to the prime minister and the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to take a decision on the extension of the lockdown.

Asad Umar said Prime Minister Khan will chair a meeting of the National Coordination Committee on Monday next, in which efforts will be made to make a unanimous decision on the future strategy.

He said the government is disbursing over Rs144 billion among deserving families under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme as more than one million persons have already been provided Rs12,000 each.

Asad Umar emphasised that there is a need to guard the people against the deadly virus first and then accelerate the process of COVID-19 tests. He added there are 27 labs operational across the country.

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He said 1.7 million surgical masks, including 75,000 N-95 masks have been distributed by the National Disaster Management Authority till now. He added 73,000 protective clothes have also been provided to frontline health staff. He said 137,000 surgical caps have also been distributed among the staff.

Asad Umar said they have received 100,000 testing kits, of these, 50,000 will be given to Sindh.

The minister also expounded on the negative impact of the coronavirus on the country’s fragile economy.

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Meanwhile, Dr Zafar Mirza warned that easing the lockdown just because the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is lower than projected would be a mistake.

He said if the government relaxes the restrictions, the number of cases and deaths will witness a sharp increase.

Sharing a breakup of coronavirus cases, Dr. Zafar Mirza said 48,584 tests had been conducted in Pakistan so far with 4,788 confirmed corona patients, adding 90 new cases were reported during the last 24 hours.

He said 752 people had recovered from this disease with an increase of 32 in last 24 hours.

Dr. Zafar Mirza said 72 people had succumbed to coronavirus, with five deaths in last twenty four hours.