LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to observe a week for the implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and vaccination till July 18 to contain the coronavirus on the occasion of upcoming Eidul Azha.

In line with the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) guidelines to contain the virus, the Punjab home department has set up a provincial control room for monitoring, issuing directions to all the administrative and police officers to form teams to check the SOPs violations at markets, parks, restaurants, wedding halls and other public places.

Meanwhile, the Kasur health CEO has been transferred for poor performance during the vaccination drive.

The decisions were taken at a meeting jointly presided over by Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and Chief Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik at the civil secretariat on Saturday. The senior member Board of Revenue, additional chief secretary, ACS (Home), secretaries of health department, Lahore commissioner, CCPO and deputy commissioner (DCs) attended the meeting, while the divisional commissioners, RPOs, and deputy commissioners of other districts participated through video link.

CS warns of ‘stricter measures’ to contain coronavirus

The health minister said vaccination, as well as precautionary measures against the virus spread, were essential to ward off the disease. She said the people should make wearing mask and social distancing a habit to contain the virus, especially on Eid.

The chief secretary instructed the DCs of Kasur, Sahiwal, Okara, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khanewal, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan to expedite the vaccination. He warned the DC concerned would be held responsible if the vaccination target of district was not met.

He said the corona vaccination campaign was a national cause and negligence in this regard would not be tolerated at all. He lauded the Gujranwala Division for improving the speed of vaccination.He warned that complacency on Eid could trigger the fourth wave of the pandemic.

He asked the DCs and district police officers (DPOs) to ensure implementation of the Covid SOPs and submit a report to him in this regard daily. He warned that in case of non-compliance, stricter measures would have to be taken.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2021