;ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to suspend political gatherings and rallies across the country as part of his government’s measures to contain the spread of the second wave of Covid-19.
“We have decided to suspend rallies countrywide and we [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] have suspended our own [rally] and would ask others [parties] to do the same because it [rallies] is such a place where the infection spreads speedily,” said the PM in his televised address after a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC).
The PM said that NCC has decided to close every activity in the country, which does not affect the businesses and the livelihoods of the people, to tackle the virus. He announced that the ruling PTI was suspending its rallies across the country with the cancellation of an upcoming event in the Rashakai area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), in line with the NCC decision. He added that the virus had sharply spread in Gilgit-Baltistan after the recent election campaign there.
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Announcing the decisions of the NCC, chaired by the premier himself, to contain further spread of the infection in the country, the PM said that a ban on all outdoor gatherings of more than 300 persons is to be implemented. The weddings will be allowed only in open areas, with a maximum of 300 people and everyone would ensure wearing a mask and maintaining distance. “The virus spreads speedily in marriage halls,” he said adding that they had come to know this after conducting tests of Covid-19.
He said that NCC has decided to keep restaurants open for now. But the businesses will be required to ensure social distancing. PM Imran Khan also announced that it has been decided not to shut shops and factories; in the country and anything that “affects people’s livelihoods.” He, however, urged that all businesses must follow the recommended standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the spread of the virus.
Weddings allowed only in open areas. “About schools, we have decided to monitor the situation for another week. If we observe that the virus is spreading through schools, then we will extend winter vacations and cut summer vacations short to a month.”
The prime minister urged the masses to ensure implementations of the SOPs saying that “the situation is a test for the country and the entire world.” He added that if they took measures together as a nation this winter, as they did earlier, they would be able to not only save lives but also keep their economy and businesses running to ensure that unemployment doesn’t increase in the country.
At the same time, the PM warned that Covid-19 cases; in Pakistan had increased by four times in the past two weeks. “The 6 to 7 deaths that we were seeing per day have risen to 25,” he said. He also said that there were fears that hospitals; in major cities would be full like in June if people didn’t follow the SOPs.