PM wants economy wheel moving amid smart lockdowns

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday directed provinces to impose smart lockdowns in the affected areas by creating a balance between precautionary measures and economic activities in the upcoming difficult weeks .The Prime Minister issued these directions while chairing a review meeting on coronavirus situation in the country. The Prime Minister said the provinces have been issued directions for smart lockdowns in the affected areas, adding steps should be taken while keeping in view the ground realities so that a balance is created between precautionary measures and economic activities. The Prime Minister emphasized the pivotal role of public in curbing the spread of coronavirus across the country by adopting precautionary measures. He said the government on the basis of latest estimates is taking all-out steps to protect the people from the killer disease. Expressing satisfaction on the meeting of needs of protective clothing and kits in the country, Imran Khan directed the local leadership to review the COVID-19 facilities in hospitals in their respective areas in cooperation with the administration and also play a vibrant role in ensuring people’s cooperation in following the SOPs. The Prime Minister while taking notice of the difficulties in the availability of some medicines and injections used by COVID-19 patients directed the chairman National Disaster management Authority (NDMA) to ensure their supply. The meeting deliberated on prevailing situation of coronavirus, estimates for next few days and measures to cope with the situation. It also took into account the availability of beds, oxygen, ventilators and facilities in different provinces. The meeting was apprised that 107 laboratories are working in the country for corona tests and 25,000 tests are being conducted daily. The number of ventilators in the country is 4,800 while another 1,600 will be added soon. The gathering was informed that another 2,000 COVID-19 beds will be made available into different hospitals of the provinces by next month. It was told that sites have been identified in twenty big cities of the country where the number of corona affected persons is rising and administrative measures are needed by the provincial governments and district administration.