The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Thursday focused on compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), strict administrative actions and enforcement of track, trace and quarantine (TTQ) strategy.
Minister for Planning Development Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar chaired the NCOC meeting here. The provincial chief secretaries including that of Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) informed the NCOC that strict administrative action has been initiated against the violators of SOPs and social distancing in public places and high-risk areas of markets, public transport and industrial sectors. The meeting discussed implementation of SOPs, safety and quarantine guidelines to avoid spread of coronavirus with the provincial chief secretaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Asad Umar said the main point of the strategy is containing the risk of the contagion and to ensure SOPs compliance and enforcement of quarantine measures. He said all measures should be implemented swiftly to make the strategy a success in overcoming the risk of further spread of coronavirus.
Punjab chief secretary told the meeting that strict SOPs and social distancing will be ensured whereas on violation, the entire market, business centre and plaza will be sealed. He said that around Rs 6.5 lac fines were imposed on the transporters over violation of SOPs whereas a fine would also be imposed for not wearing face mask at public places and high-risk areas.
Sindh chief secretary informed the forum that business centres, bazaars and markets violating the SOPs and safety guidelines were issued strict warning notices.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary said that public compliance of SOPs and safety measures is not satisfactory rather careless attitude is being witnessed in the province. He said that the decisions made in NCC meeting on June 1 and NCOC sessions on June 2 and June 3 were sent for implementation to provincial administration. In this context, two complete markets in various districts including Peshawar were sealed for violating safety protocols. “Around 25,000, ‘No Masks No Service’ informative banners and slings have been displayed across the province to create awareness among the masses to comply with wearing face masks measure,” he said.
Balochistan chief secretary informed the forum that keeping in view the increasing number of coronavirus positive cases after opening of shops, the provincial administration has prepared a comprehensive plan to initiate stringent action against violation of SOPs and safety measures.
Gilgit Baltistan chief secretary apprised the meeting that smart lockdown strategy was implemented earlier which helped in minimizing the spread of the disease. “A fine of Rs 100 is being imposed on the person not wearing face mask in public places and three face masks instead are provided to volunteers on spot to follow the safety protocol. The people have generally welcomed the initiative,” he said.
AJK chief secretary briefed the meeting that transport has been opened in the valley with SOPs compliance whereas effective contact tracing is being carried out to trace affected patients and their close contacts.
The NCOC team comprising specialists and management experts will visit various areas of the country to assist local administrations in assessment of needs and requirement. Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Covid-19 Dr Faisal Sultan will lead the team, said a press release issued here.
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) executive director also briefed the special session of the NCOC and said that the hospital has 26 ventilators and are meeting the need of the federal capital.
In Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), action was taken on violation of SOPs and around 115 persons were fined, 83 shops sealed, 22 industrial units sealed and 42 transport vehicles were fined.
In Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), campaign to ensure implementation of SOPs is in full swing as 907 persons were fined, 440 shops sealed, traffic challans handed to 297, 13 fined over industrial violations and four were fined for failing to implement smart lockdown.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 9,449 people were checked, 3,553 fines imposed, 525 markets and shops sealed, 16 transport terminals sealed, 82 vehicles fined and 37 industrial unit imposed with penalties.
The federal government also decided to shut all big markets across country which violate SOPs to counter the coronavirus pandemic.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill tweeted, “Under the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) decisions, several big markets across Pakistan will be closed over violation of SOPs. Operation in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been initiated. We must follow SOPs in any case.”
According to the WhatsApp Chatbot Tele Medical portal, 3,660 doctors have signed up, 1,936 patients opted to speak to a doctor, of which 541 completed consultations.
