Web Desk:
Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Asad Umar has warned that cases of the novel coronavirus are likely to reach 1 million to 1.2 million by the end of July this year. The Federal Minister was addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday.
Pakistan has so far confirmed 141,517 cases of the deadly virus.
“We’re in mid-June and our [confirmed] cases have reached approximately 150,000. It saddens me to say that based on our current trajectory [of spread], experts have projected that our cases could double by the end of June,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s confirmed Covid-19 case tally could even reach 1m to 1.2m by end July.
Masks:
“Research [around the world] has indicated that wearing masks is a verified way of curbing the spread of Covid-19 — by up to 50 per cent,” he said, adding that the National Command and Operation Centre [NCOC] had recommended that face masks be worn by everyone in public places.
“We are seeing many people wearing masks but sadly we’ve seen many more not wearing one. If you want to defend yourself and your loved ones, please wear masks. It’s as simple as that,” he added.
Umar pointed out that the government had issued guidelines regarding social distancing requirements that people should follow. “This [practising social distancing] is the simplest way to ensure that businesses remain open and the wheel of the economy keeps turning.”
He warned that if people failed to follow preventive guidelines issued by the government, it would result in “people losing their livelihoods”.
