Lahore, 1st March: A third wave of the coronavirus pandemic is feared in Pakistan after the early lifting of restrictions.
Baaghi TV: With most restrictions regarding the pandemic have been relaxed in the country, health experts fear a resurgence in the number of cases that can be declared as the third wave of coronavirus in the country.
Health experts spoke to Dawn News and expressed their concerns after 1,176 COVID-19 cases were reported in a day. The health experts said that the government should give priority to public health rather than financial concerns.
They advised the authorities to lift the restrictions only after ensuring that 70% population has been vaccinated against the deadly disease.
Earlier, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) relaxed most of the restrictions regarding COVID-19 on commercial activities, schools, offices and other workplaces, allowing them to function at full strength.
As per the directives, the time limit on commercial activities has been lifted and the condition of 50 per cent attendance at workplaces removed.
Experts say that schools have been directed to resume five days a week with full attendance.
Cinemas and shrines have been opened to all public and permission to hold indoor wedding ceremonies has been granted with effect from March 15. However, a review meeting on March 10 will help to decide whether to allow indoor dining or not.
Furthermore, the NCOC has also allowed an increase in the number of spectators attending Pakistan Super League (PSL 6) matches from 20pc to 50pc and permitted full strength during play-offs with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The Election Commission of Pakistan has also been granted permission to hold local bodies and cantonment board elections by the end of May or early June.
While talking to Dawn, Secretary-General of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Dr Qaisar Sajjad said, “We are living in a society where people do not follow the SOPs. They even laugh at those wearing face masks. We have already observed the results of the lifting of restrictions in September last year when 100 to 200 daily cases were being reported, and within a month the government had to declare a second wave of coronavirus.”
He added, “I believe that restrictions should be lifted after vaccinating 70pc population as only then we can get herd immunity. Just two weeks ago, three cases were reported in Melbourne, Australia. Though all three persons had arrived through foreign flights the whole Melbourne city was closed for five days. It is unfortunate that we are taking even over 1,000 cases lightly.”
Dr Javaid Usman, a microbiologist, said, “Possibility of a third wave cannot be ruled out. We are giving another opportunity for the virus to bounce back. We should not forget that now there are more than one variants of the virus in Pakistan and they are more infectious and transmissible. Luckily, they are as virulent as the previous type. But it is not a good decision to lift restrictions as cases are continuously fluctuating and we have been observing sudden spikes.”
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiative Asad Umar had also warned of a third wave of the coronavirus if people did not strictly follow the SOPs.
It is to be remembered that the first case of the novel coronavirus in Pakistan was reported on Feb 26, 2020.
The number of daily cases rose to 6,000 by June 2020. However, with strict restrictions in place, cases started decreasing.
Soon after, the government lifted the restrictions which resulted in the surge in cases again in October so much that the authorities had to declare it a second wave of virus and had to impose the restrictions once again.
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