Mumbai: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has refused to carry out a nationwide lockout despite cases of coronaviruses exceeding 500 in the country.
Geo News reported that three COVID-19 deaths have occurred in Pakistan so far and the total number of confirmed cases has reached 501. Sindh is the most affected province in 252 cases.
Analysts have suggested complete lockout of Pakistan, including the postponement of flights in view of the increase in the number of infections.
“Lockdown means a curfew-like situation, which will create unrest in the country and we cannot tolerate it. It will make poor people more vulnerable,” Khan said.
Khan said the government was working on an economic package that would be announced on Tuesday. “We cannot compete with other countries in the world that are announcing economic packages,” he said.
“However, we will protect our lower and working-class against the effects of coronavirus. This package will do that.”
A lack of necessary medical equipment such as masks, test kits, and ventilators, is limiting the scope of prevention, testing and treatment of the disease in Pakistan. Doctors have threatened to go on strike until the equipment is provided.
Hundreds of Sudhotis and Rawalkot-based POKs, working with Chinese labourers, face a difficult situation given the lack of screening procedures. People demand that all employees working with Chinese employees be investigated.
Many residents of Lahore have complained that some hospitals are charging more than PRK 9,000 for coronavirus testing, against the government’s claims that the tests were being done for free.
Dozens of families living in the Lepa Valley have left for other parts amid coronavirus concerns, despite assurances that the military was able to handle the situation.
Meanwhile, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have announced to help Pakistan economically by providing the US $ 588 million for its emergency response to fight coronavirus and to overcome the socio-economic impact of the epidemic.
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