Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the country cannot afford to go back towards a lockdown, urging the public to follow the government's standard operating procedures (SOPs) for curbing the spread of the virus.

"It is important for you to ensure that people follow SOPs because we can't go back to lockdown, this country cannot afford it," he said while addressing the volunteers of the Corona Relief Tiger Force.

"If we can slow down the [infection] curve because of SOPs, it will reduce pressure on hospitals."

He added that the country was already emerging from a difficult situation before the pandemic hit. "The purpose of reopening industries was to help the vulnerable. A lockdown for [the privileged] is not a problem, but it is a problem for the working class.

"How much more money can Ehsaas give? That is why important for you to ensure the implementation of SOPs," he said.