Expressing concern over reports that coronavirus infections would multiply in the days to come, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said on Monday that the virus will not spare anyone and the only remedy left is either to stay home or strictly observe SOPs while going out at public places.
While addressing a ceremony to distribute ration amongst 1,000 poor families at Sanda Road organized by the Social Welfare Committee and later talking to media today, the governor said: "In many countries including Singapore, the people came out of their homes in droves and got infected by with dreadful virus; these countries' examples are here to learn lessons."
The governor said as soon as the government lifted restrictions of lockdown, all bazaars and markets had been stormed by the people without seriously following the SOPs. He said people going to markets without observing SOPs were potential threat for their own families as they might take the virus to their homes.
Governor said the increase in number of corona patients in Pakistan might not be effectively handled by the existing healthcare system. He added the decision to open markets and bazaars did not mean that the corona pandemic had subsided.
Replying to a question, Chaudhry Sarwar said the state departments were working round-the-clock and now it was people's responsibility not to become instrumental in the spread of coronavirus and stay home.
He said the federal and Punjab government as well as the Punjab Development Network were busy providing ration to poor families and those, who got jobless during the ongoing crisis. "We will continue providing ration to poor people at their doorsteps until the coronavirus pandemic goes away," he said.
Moreover, Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar said the people should exhibit a socially-responsible behavior after the opening of markets because they will remain safe by following necessary precautions.
"The government wants to save the people from coronavirus as well as hunger," he said, adding: "Opposition has neither any strategy nor any agenda for dealing with coronavirus and it is only point-scoring over this pandemic."
The CM disclosed that the daily testing capacity of the virus in Punjab has increased to more than six thousand. In a statement, the CM said that Pakistan is facing unusual circumstances and public cooperation is imperative to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.
The CM further said that more than 6.53 billions of rupees have been distributed among deserving families in five days under 'CM Punjab Insaf Imdad Program' and 'Ehsaas Program.'
He added that more than 0.5 million deserving families have been given financial aid in a very transparent manner. A total of 2.5 million deserving families will be provided aid and more than 600 camps have been set up throughout the province to provide financial assistance to the needy, he said.
The CM maintained that poor strata has been affected due to coronavirus and consequent lockdown and added the government is duty-bound to help such segments of the society.
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