Federal cabinet approves extension in lockdown till April 30

Federal cabinet has approved extension in lockdown across Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday approved extension in countrywide lockdown to mitigate coronavirus crisis. 

The cabinet has decided to extend lockdown till 30th April across Pakistan. 

According to sources, the government has decided to open skills related businesses after which tailors, electricians, mechanics, plumbers and barbers will be allowed to work.

The government has also decided to open all sectors related to construction and rules have been formulated for the sector opened after the lockdown.

The responsibility for various projects in the construction sector will be decided between the provinces and each province will develop strategies regarding the pending development and construction projects.

Air travel, public transport, public gatherings, wedding halls, cinemas and public places will remain close due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will share the decisions taken in meeting of National Coordination Committee.

She said that the prime minister will take the nation into confidence by laying out a roadmap for future after consultation with all key stakeholders.

Regarding federal cabinet meeting, she said the forum reviewed and discussed various important issues, adding that the cabinet was briefed about the proposed legislation to provide facilitation to construction sector.

The special assistant said in order to control inflation in the country and to ensure uninterrupted supply of items of daily use, an ordinance is being brought, adding that the cabinet members recommended strict punishments to be included in the proposed legislation against hoarders and smugglers.

The cabinet congratulated and appreciated the efforts of Dr. Sania Nishtar and Ehsaas team in disbursement of cash to needy and eligible persons under its emergency cash relief program.

“Provinces are playing a crucial role in implementation of this program on merit and transparency,” Dr Firdous said and added focal persons are being appointed for smooth working of the program.

Have a look at number of confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Earlier today, a detailed briefing was given on current Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and measures being adopted to combat the disease at National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

Brig (r) Ijaz Ahmed Shah, Minister for Interior, Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Minister for Industries and Production, Omar Ayub Khan, Minister for Energy, Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister for Economic Affairs, Fakhar Imam, Minister for National Food and Security, Moeed Yousaf, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Security, Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health and Abdul Razak Dawod, Advisor to PM for Commerce attended the briefing.

Minister for Planning, development, Reforms and special initiatives Asad Umar chaired the meeting where the forum reviewed progress made so far and future course of action.

Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Chief Ministers of Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Chief Secretary Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa participated through video.

The forum finalized recommendations to be taken up at National Coordination Committee (NCC) for final decision on post April 14 COVID-19 strategy. A detailed analysis and discussion was made by all stakeholders.

The forum discussed guidelines ad SOPs for possibility of phased easing of industries. The forum considered that the implementation on these guidelines and SOPs will be employers’ responsibility while the decision will be made in NCC for final approval.

It was decided that the Ministry of Interior in consultation with Ulemas will formulate guidelines for Ramazan covering aspects including taraveeh, namaz, roza congregations, festivity (Iftari, sehri etc), arrangements of Juma bazar or Ramzan bazar etc., distribution of food items and fitrana by philanthropists.

The forum was informed that to get indigenous manufacturing capacity, Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has started developing five different types of ventilators.

It was further informed that eight designs have been submitted for approval while the clinical trials have been started.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), and National University of Science and Technology (NUST) will finalize the decision of domestic development of testing kit within 36 hrs.

The forum was also briefed about the medical services allocated by Pakistan Railways including converting seven trains into hospitals and isolation wards.

It was informed that 26 trains are available for plying across the country while 48 Railway hospitals are available including 12 major and hospitals and 36 small dispensaries.

The forum was apprised that 1,950 passengers will be brought back in next weeks by air while three months will be required to bring back all stranded Pakistanis with approximately 8,000 passengers per week.

All passengers will be quarantined as per health guidelines at locations of arrival while the air traveling SOPs will be reviewed on April 16.

The participants were informed that seven international airports will be operating to bring back 8,000 passengers every week.

It was informed that the Ministry of Interior has issued notifications for closure of borders for another two weeks from date of expiry of previous notification as Wahga Border from 16 to 29 April, Western border with Afghanistan and Iran from 13 to 26 April and Kartarpur Corridor from 11 to 24 April.