PM announces to lift lockdown in phases from May 09

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that the lockdown will be lifted in phases starting from Saturday.

While briefing nation over the situation of Coronavirus in the country, PM said that the decision was made because of people suffering financially due to lockdown.

“Coronavirus spreads faster than any other virus. We reported first case on February 26 and imposed lockdown on March 13. We feared that daily-wagers will suffer due to continuous lockdown so we have decided to lift it,” he said.

He further said that government constituted National Command and Control Center (NCCC) to keep an eye on the situation of Coronavirus in the country.

“We closed educational institutions, sports activities and businesses to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Fortunately, Pakistan has not been as affected by Coronavirus as Europe and US,” added.

PM also urged people to take responsibility saying that government would be forced to enforce lockdown again if standard operating procedures (SOPs) are not followed.

“The success of the next phase depends on people following the SOPs issued by the government. If people failed to follow them and cases increased, we would be forced to enforce the lockdown again,” he said.

PM said public transport will remain shut over provinces' reservations.

"I believe public transport should be reopened because it is the common man's mode of transport but the provinces have reservations. We do not want to take decisions unless there is unanimity."

“I think that public transport should be allowed to operate because it is the common man's mode of transport but the provinces have reservations. We want to take unanimous decisions,” he added.

Present on occasion, Prime Minister’s focal person on coronavirus Dr Faisal Sultan said that number of Covid-19 cases are surging due to increased testing capacity.

“Pakistan’s Covid-19 trajectory is slower than other countries. We now have sufficient data to create our own projection models,” he added.

Also present, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said that government has decided to open more sectors related to construction.

“Selected OPDs in hospitals will be opened to treat specific diseases and illnesses. Markets will open after Sehri and close at 5pm before Iftar. Markets will remain closed for two days per week,” he said.