(Karachi) Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar has said if coronavirus cases continue to rise, it is likely that it would infect approximately one million people by end of July.

Addressing a press briefing in Islamabad on Sunday, he said, "The world is now realising that enforcing a complete lockdown will cause the economy to crumble."

He maintained, "We have to maintain smart lockdowns in hotspots because this way we can stop the spread in areas which are causing outbreaks and at the same time protect jobs and livelihoods by not imposing complete lockdowns."

Umar highlighted that the government had started enforcing a "smart lockdown" in several areas of the country including Islamabad. "The government is imposing smart lockdown in Lahore from today and then it will be enforced in the rest of the province."

The minister said that the government has issued guidelines regarding where to wear masks and the social distancing requirements that people should follow.

He warned that people will lose their livelihod if they failed to follow preventive guidelines issued by the government. He urged the public to wear masks and maintain social distancing to curb spread of the deadly disease.