Doctors, nurses and paramedics: Buzdar announces 'Special Risk Allowance'

Announcing 'Special Risk Allowance' for doctors, nurses and paramedics, Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Bazdar on Wednesday urged the people to play their role in the war against COVID-19 by adopting precautionary measures.
Addressing a news conference, here, the CM said that Corona Ordinance has been enforced and the government is making all out efforts to check the spread of coronavirus.
He said that 600 ziareens who were at DG Khan quarantine facility are being sent to their homes on Thursday (today). In this facility, he said there were 800 ziareens.
The CM said that he visited 1200-bed facility at UET Kala Shah Kaku and reviewed the arrangements there.
He said that food chain supply would be ensured; however, he urged the well-to-do people to take care of needy people in this hour of need.
After the confirmation of one corona patient at Camp Jail, the CM said that a 100-bed hospital is being set up there while the process of screening of prisoners is being started. He disclosed that a summary is being initiated, as a result of which 3500 prisoners would be released from jails.
To a question, he said: "There is no curfew; however, the people must ensure social distancing and stay at home."
He said the Civil Aviation authority has been approached for screening of crew and other staff.
Moreover, the CM has set up a cabinet committee headed by provincial minister for Law, parliamentary affairs and social welfare Raja Basharat to further strengthen steps against Corona across the province. Other members of the committee include the provincial Finance Minister, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Additional Chief Secretary Home, IG Punjab, Secretaries of Primary Health, Information, Finance, Specialized health, P&D and local government departments, Commissioner Lahore Division and DG of PDMA are also among the members.
As per notification, the committee will coordinate with federal and international agencies to fight Corona, and will supervise hospitals and the health facilities to ensure Corona's diagnosis, isolation and treatment. It will ensure the provision of required testing kits, medical equipment and other facilities to hospitals along with arranging training of medical staff and provide staff at the required locations. In addition, the committee will oversee a massive awareness campaign among masses to prevent infection of Covid 19. In addition to ensuring uninterrupted and controlled rate of food supply throughout the province, it will ensure the implementation of social distancing and limited mobility of citizens as per government announcements. The Cabinet Committee shall convene a review meeting on a daily basis and forward the report to the Chief Minister. The Secretary Primary Health shall provide logistic and administrative support to the Committee who will also serve as the Secretary of the Committee.
On the instructions of CM Sardar Usman Buzdar for the crackdown against those involved in making spurious sanitizers, hand wash and antiseptic chemicals, the police and district administration have apprehended four accused and recovered hundreds of litres of fake sanitizers, hand wash and antiseptic chemicals in Gujranwala. The police also recovered drums and other equipment being used in the preparation of sanitizers, hand wash and antiseptic chemicals.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said that decision of lockdown was taken under extreme circumstances and the government did not have any choice except this.
In her message, the Minister health said, "In order to stop the spread of the virus and put a break at the number of new infection, it is important that we stop virus transmission which is only possible when people stay at home. The decision of lockdown was made to save people from SARS-COV-2 which has caused thousands of deaths globally."
Acknowledging the services of doctors and paramedical staff, the minister said that doctors and paramedical staff are frontline workers and they are doing their best to save lives in hospitals.
"I appeal the people to understand the seriousness of the situation. Please do not expose yourself to the virus and help us by staying indoors. Stay at home and adopt social distancing till this crisis is over," she said.