Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Pakistan to Ease Coronavirus Lockdown Saturday

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has announced it will gradually ease a nationwide
   coronavirus-related "partial" lockdown starting Saturday, saying the
   number of COVID-19 infections remain relatively low and under control.
   COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus.
   The pandemic hit Pakistan in late February. Since then, officials have
   recorded more than 24,000 confirmed cases and nearly 600 deaths.
   Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday chaired a meeting of top
   government officials where the decision was taken to relax restrictions
   on public and industrial activities.
   "We know our curve of infections and deaths (from COVID-19) is
   gradually rising. But the rate of increase is relatively very low in
   Pakistan," Khan said in his post-meeting nationally televised remarks.
   In defending the decision, Khan said it is not possible for anyone to
   predict when and if Pakistan will experience a peak like that of Europe
   and other worst-hit areas.
   "Why are we going ahead to ease the lockdown? Because people in our
   country, particularly daily wagers, small shopkeepers, taxi drivers,
   laborers, white-collar families are all facing an extremely difficult
   situation to feed their families," Khan said.

.