ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned the nation that fourth wave of the novel coronavirus could hit the country if people continue to flout Covid-19 SOPs issued to stem the spread of contagious virus.
In a brief address to the nation on Thursday, the premier said Delta variant originated in India has become a major cause of concern in the world.
He said that the Delta variant, which wreaked havoc in India, has spread in Bangladesh and Afghanistan and causing oxygen shortages.
“We can avoid the fourth wave of coronavirus if we comply with Covid-19 SOPs particularly mask-wearing in closed and crowded spaces,” PM Imran said while urging masses to follow precautionary measures to avoid lockdowns.
Quoting The Economist report, the prime minister said Pakistan has been ranked as third best-performing country in the world for handling the coronavirus pandemic.
“After a decline, [coronavirus] cases are rising again and we are concerned that Indian variant cases are being reported in Pakistan as well,” he added.
“I know people have become tired of following SOPs but mask-wearing is the easiest way through which we can avoid the fourth wave of coronavirus,” the premier added.
Earlier in the day, Federal Minister for Planning and Asad Umar said the government would not impose complete lockdown during the fourth wave of Coronavirus pandemic, which he feared would start in the current month of July.
He said that during the past waves of coronavirus, the government’s strategy to handle the pandemic and overcome its after-effects had been very successful and the country was placed among the best three performing countries by the Economist’s Normalcy Index for handling it.
Addressing an oath-taking ceremony of newly-appointed members of the National Youth Council (NYC), the minister urged the people to keep on following the standard operating procedures and vaccinate themselves to cope with the 4th wave in an effective manner.
Umar, however, added that in case the ratio of positive cases goes up, the government would opt for smart lockdown as was done during the past phase.