Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar has said he "hopes" the nation will show the same discipline as before by taking precautionary measures and following standard operating procedures (SOPs) as the country completes 100 days of virus infections.

Addressing a press conference at the National Command and Operation Centre, Umar appealed to leaders of commerce chambers and markets across the country to follow SOPs. "I appeal to all people to show the same discipline as before. For several weeks we saw people showing discipline to quite an extent and following SOPs but it was set aside in last week before Eid."

He cautioned people to not forward unverified messages on WhatsApp saying that they were "not doing anyone a favour by creating panic". He thanked frontline workers including healthcare workers, policemen and staff at the information ministry for their services.

"The government is increasing beds, ventilators, training doctors and paramedics so that our health system doesn't collapse if cases rise. Most of all, the government is focusing on how we can work together — all departments — to shore up our health system for best response," he said.