Pakistan’s control over novel coronavirus is now under control and balanced.

The recent data from the

National command and operation center about the COVID-19 cases is encouraging, the daily deaths and
the new cases appear to have fallen in the last three or four weeks, and the hospitalizations have come
down since June. The peak phase and ratio of the cases were 23pc, it is now reported at 7pc. The
government also feels optimistic about the current downward curve, because the smart lockdowns are
effective and restrictions of large gatherings at cinema halls, wedding halls, playing grounds and
restaurants have kept the curve low.

Also, the government authorities must be careful and watchful to make one centralized decision which
works well for all the provinces to enforce smart lockdown strategies. Mixed messaging should not be
sent by the government. There is a big challenge around the corner that is Eid-ul-Azha and Muharram.
The two ‘super spreading’ occasions where thousands may congregate and the implementation of SOPs
will be challenging. The government and provinces should make appropriate mitigation strategies to
control the spread of the virus on these two big occasions. The number of cases is low but we as a
nation need to be careful and watchful about future implications of this pandemic.