Is Pakistan ready for third wave of Coronavirus: Shafaqna Special

by Tauqeer Abbas
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In wake of third wave of Coronavirus and increasing number of cases, education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said on Wednesday that all educational institutions in seven cities of Punjab will close down from March 15 for two weeks. With most of the Covid-related restrictions having been relaxed despite lukewarm response of even health workers to the government-run vaccination campaign, health experts had feared a resurgence in number of cases and finally it apporached. 

Earlier on Feb 24, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Covid relaxed most of the restrictions on commercial activities, schools, offices and other workplaces, allowing them to function at full strength. Under the directives, time limit on commercial activities has been lifted and condition of 50 per cent attendance at workplaces removed. Schools have been asked to function five days a week with full strength. Permission to hold indoor wedding ceremonies and opening of cinemas and shrines has been granted with effect from March 15.

Such circumstances were inevitable according to health officials who predicted that the risk factor would increase substantially once the country resumed routine functions rather early. It was imperative for the authorities to strike a balance between enforcing appropriate rules to prevent a surge in cases and allowing for certain sectors to restart operations while adhering to strict standard procedures. However, putting past mistakes aside, it is now time to act proactively and prevent further spread.

Meanwhile the government has started the second phase of the coronavirus vaccination programme aimed at senior citizens. However, the inoculation drive has been affected by delays as the nation has been unable to procure more doses. Pakistan is now set to receive the first consignment of 45 million jabs from GAVI health alliance and more are expected from China. This is a long, painstaking process and is unlikely to win the fight against the pandemic any time soon.

As the coronavirus cases are rising across the country, the government has already announced to resume all activities as normal from March 15. This has increased fears of the third wave of coronavirus which could aggravate the situation. Pakistan has suffered loss of lives, economic losses and the annulment of events like PSL due to the pandemic and yet the crisis is far from over. We need to take even more precautions and enforce strict safety precautions against the disease.

Shafaqna Pakistan
pakistan.shafaqna.com

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