THE country reported first two deaths from Corona Virus on Wednesday, both from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the disease continued to spread with total number of persons so far infected crossing the mark of three hundred. The surge and intensity of the virus is triggering more and more restrictions as part of the campaign to check its spread, creating difficulties for people and disturbing the routine life.
Though Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that the Government was not going for a country-wide lockdown as it could lead to deaths due to starvation but in reality all the four provinces are announcing measures that amount to semi-lockdown. Sindh Government, which is leading the campaign, has gone a step further by deciding to close down all government departments till April 3 and is contemplating more steps to tackle the situation. It has also urged the Federal Government to order closure of industries and railway service in the country on an immediate basis to slow down the transmission of the Corona Virus epidemic among the countrymen. There is, of course, a major risk that the pace of transmission of the Corona Virus epidemic would rapidly increase if the cross country train service continued its operation transporting thousands of people to different regions daily. It is likely that the Government will have to act on the recommendations of the provincial government as the Supreme Court too was, in a way, asking for similar steps. The apex court on Wednesday questioned the inadequate preventive measures taken by the government to deal with the Corona Virus and observed that the epidemic had invaded Pakistan due its incompetence. Heading a case, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed, criticized the authorities concerned for not taking adequate measures at airports and entry points, adding that there were worst facilities at quarantine centres. The Chief Justice has ruled out closure of courts and instead expressed resolve to put in place necessary precautionary measures. His decision is appreciable as doors of the courts should not be shut in any case. However, precautionary measures can be taken at Supreme Court and High Courts but definitely not at district and tehsil courts, which resemble fish markets. Perhaps, judges, who sit in a separate enclosure, can immune themselves by keeping themselves at a safe distance but what about litigants and others who crowd the area. Provincial governments are also limiting inter-city bus services to minimize mobility and contacts and KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, who earlier banned public meetings and functions at marriage halls, has announced that restrictions would also be applicable to gatherings in private places and inside houses. No doubt, the restrictions and bans would add to the miseries and sufferings of the people especially the disadvantaged segments of the society but there are also plus sides of the situation. There is now greater awareness about personal hygiene and this augurs well for overall health of the society. Ban on marriage and other functions would also result into substantial savings for families especially when many of them were borrowing money to spend on these occasions. Similarly, the State Bank of Pakistan has instructed banks and financial organisations to promote digital payment services so that customers won’t have to visit banks or ATMs for money transactions. SBP has also directed banks to waive off charges on online banking systems including Inter Bank Fund Transfer (IBFT) and SBP’s Real Time Gross Settlement System so that people can transfer money through phone or online channels without any cost. The decision is also important in view of the fact that currency notes are also one of the possible sources of transmission of deadly virus. The Governments are adopting necessary measures but the best way of handling the otherwise alarming situation would be for the citizens to self-isolate themselves. As far as possible, all members of the families should restrict their movements and limit their interaction with others to the barest minimum. Similarly, the business and trading community can also contribute to the anti-virus campaign by observing instructions of the local and provincial authorities. The measures are aimed at safety, protection and well-being of each and every citizen and, therefore, everyone should cooperate in this endeavour.
Tightening of Corona-triggered restrictions
