SOPs Violation in PDM Rally Can Cause Another Covid19 Breakout

WEB DESK: The implementation of coronavirus precautionary guidelines did not come into sight as the party leaders as well as the participants of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Gujranwala rally disregarded them.

The 28 point agreement between the district administration and the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) enlisted a clause as per which all participants were entitled to follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

However, the aforementioned clause, like many others, was seen to be flouted by almost everyone present at Jinnah Ground.

As seen in live broadcasts, the leadership of different political parties, excluding Bilawal Bhutto Zardari of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), refrained from wearing facemasks on the stage while waiting for their turns to address the rally.

At one instance, Mehmood Achakzai of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) was even seen coughing during his address ( I saw it on Geo).

The open violation of SOPs encouraged the rally participants to violate them as well.

Sensibly, the social distancing protocols could not be followed in a massive crowd such as of the political gathering but, the workers and supporters did not bother covering their faces with masks that scientifically reduce the chances of virus spread to a notable percentage.

PDM public gathering was called at a time when the coronavirus threat is on the rise in the country. The Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar had recently warned of a surge in the rate of infections.

The packed Jinnah Ground could prove as a source of virus spread once again across the country. Even if one of the participants was infected, the closeness from each other inside the ground could aid virus transmission.

These participants have returned to their hometowns as carriers.

The threat of virus spread has surged after the political leadership has shown immaturity.

The masses have already suffered an economic crunch due to a prolonged lockdown to curtail Covid-19.

Such political activities before the eradication of the pandemic virus could trigger it yet again.

The PDM, which is comprised of 11 opposition parties, has vowed to stage rallies across the country to begin a movement against the government. Rallies are also scheduled in Karachi and Quetta on October 18.