The Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Tuesday emphasized the importance of risk mitigation to avoid a second Covid-19 wave in the country, a statement by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) said. International and national authorities have been warning of a second wave to hit the country after the lockdown was lifted to continue the economic activity.

The forum was told that after a surge in the coronavirus cases in Pakistan, 3,497 smart lockdowns have been imposed in 103 districts across the country. The NCOC had also shut down at least 100 restaurants and marriage halls not complying with the SoPs. The participants of the meeting were also briefed about the testing and positive ratio. As per the planning minister, 52 percent of tests were being carried out under the trace, test, and quarantine (TTQ) strategy.

The command centre also entertained briefs on measures being taken by the provincial governments to curb the spread of the virus by respective chief secretaries. Sindh chief secretary told the participants that the provincial authorities were monitoring the situation of academic institutions and marriage halls closely— both of which reopened last month — and are prepared to take essential steps.

The chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa briefed the attendees about the steps taken by the KP government against some restaurants and marriage halls for violating SOPs. Meanwhile, the Balochistan chief secretary said that due to the implementation of the TTQ strategy, the province saw an improvement in Covid-19 cases.