Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday warned there would be a spike in Covid-19 cases if people ignored the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Eidul Azha.
Speaking to media-persons after the inauguration of Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre (IHITC) in Islamabad, the PM urged the nation to mark Eid with simplicity so that the rate of infections could be curtailed. The 250-bed, the state-of-the-art medical facility has been constructed in a record forty days at a cost of about Rs980 million.
"The virus spreads rapidly when a large number of people gather," said the PM, adding that 'carelessness' on Eidul Fitr in May led to a spike in cases in Pakistan. "This led to pressure on our hospitals, our frontline workers also faced immense pressure, we, unfortunately, lost lives and the virus peaked."
According to the premier, the government took steps, such as smart lockdowns, to control the rise in the cases, which proved successful. "By the grace of the Almighty, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the cooperation of the provinces in implementing instructions — due to the joint efforts of everyone, Pakistan is now among those countries where infections are declining."
He warned people that the cases would see an upward trend if people were careless on Eid. He said the government has come up with SOPs for Eidul Azha and how to carry out animal sacrifices. "I appeal to the entire nation to observe Eid with simplicity — for the sake of your country, its economy and especially the elderly and at-risk members of the society.
"If we take care now, then we can manage, God willing, to come out of this pandemic better than other countries."
Speaking to media-persons after the inauguration of Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre (IHITC) in Islamabad, the PM urged the nation to mark Eid with simplicity so that the rate of infections could be curtailed. The 250-bed, the state-of-the-art medical facility has been constructed in a record forty days at a cost of about Rs980 million.
"The virus spreads rapidly when a large number of people gather," said the PM, adding that 'carelessness' on Eidul Fitr in May led to a spike in cases in Pakistan. "This led to pressure on our hospitals, our frontline workers also faced immense pressure, we, unfortunately, lost lives and the virus peaked."
According to the premier, the government took steps, such as smart lockdowns, to control the rise in the cases, which proved successful. "By the grace of the Almighty, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the cooperation of the provinces in implementing instructions — due to the joint efforts of everyone, Pakistan is now among those countries where infections are declining."
He warned people that the cases would see an upward trend if people were careless on Eid. He said the government has come up with SOPs for Eidul Azha and how to carry out animal sacrifices. "I appeal to the entire nation to observe Eid with simplicity — for the sake of your country, its economy and especially the elderly and at-risk members of the society.
"If we take care now, then we can manage, God willing, to come out of this pandemic better than other countries."