ISLAMABAD: The government on Sunday made it mandatory for the people to wear masks at public and crowded places, and also issued guidelines for people above 50 years of age who constitute 72 percent of those 3501 so far lost their lives due to Covid-19 in the country.

In the last 24 hours, 4951 new cases of coronavirus were reported, taking the total confirmed cases in Pakistan to 168,798 with 119 new deaths.

Speaking at a news conference, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza asked the people to initiate special care for their elders in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

He said so far around 3501 people have died of coronavirus and out of them at least 72 percent were over 50 years of age. However, he added that it does not mean the younger cannot catch the virus, but the elders are more vulnerable due to which they need more attention to be saved from the disease.

He further pointed out that between 70 to 75 percent of those who lost their lives due to coronavirus were already suffering from another disease, especially diabetes and blood pressure before being infected with the Covid-19.

He said if the senior citizens develop coughing, fever and respiratory symptoms, they should immediately be isolated at their homes, adding that proper care should be taken of the cleanliness at their places.

He said if the senior citizens already suffering from diabetes and blood pressure developed the symptoms, they or their family members should contact their doctor for seeking medical help.

He urged all the elders to wear the mask everywhere, at homes and outside their homes, adding that they should strictly avoid the crowded places. He said they should also maintain social distance even at homes and avoid public transport.

Dr Zafar Mirza said the Ministry of National Health Services has issued special guidelines at the website: covid.gov.pk, for protection of the senior citizens from coronavirus.

He said the government has made wearing the mask mandatory for the people in all crowded places, shops, factories, public transport, mosques and other public crowded places.

He said people should maintain physical distance - at least two meters or six feet -with others, adding that masses should avoid handshake and embracing each other. He urged the people to wash their hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds.