ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has emphasised the need for preventing coronavirus from spreading through national awareness and strict compliance with “simple measures by all of us”.

“It is not a political issue but a national one. The war hero’s role is yours thru ur weapons of social media & ur phone messages. Don’t stop until we have won,” he tweeted on Saturday.

In another tweet, he advised people to wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, using tissue or sleeves while coughing or sneezing, refusing to shake hands and embrace, to keep social distance, avoiding crowded places and not touching one’s face.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the prime minister was personally supervising steps to overcome COVID-19 in the country.

In a series of tweets, she said the government had taken measures to cope with the international challenge of coronavirus for protection of people of Pakistan.

She said these measures were acknowledged by the World Health Organisation and endorsed by its country representative.

The SAPM said she hoped the virus would be defeated with national harmony and solidarity. “It is a difficult time but the nation will come out of it successfully,” she said.

She also urged people to follow precautionary measures as adopted by nations that were economically developed and medically advanced.—PPI

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2020