Asad Umar for drastic actions at societal, individual level to contain covid-19 pandemic.

Islamabad -- Planning Minister Asad Umar on Sunday said there is drastic need to take actions at societal as well as individual levels to contain spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

Asad Umar warned that the pace of spread of COVID-19 could increase if precautionary measures are not taken seriously.

He said this while giving media briefing at National Command and Operation Centre in Islamabad. The planning minister said total cases in the country have reached closer to 150,000 which are likely to increase two fold by the end of this month.

He cautioned that by the end of next month, the same number could increase to reach at 1 to 1.2 million cases.

Asad Umar said wearing masks is mandatory for slowing down the spread of disease. He said some studies suggest that the pace of corona spread could decrease by fifty percent by covering the mouth alone. He second keeping social distancing is of equal importance.

The Minister said administrative actions are being taken to protect the people from this disease. He said shops, transport and individuals have been fined who were not following the SOPs. He warned that such actions will increase now.

Asad Umar said keeping lockdowns for long term is not feasible as the world has also realized it now. He said Prime...