Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar has urged people to wear masks and maintain social distancing if they want to "defend" themselves and their loved ones from the novel coronavirus.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said that the government has issued guidelines regarding where to wear masks and the social distancing requirements that people should follow. "This is the simplest way to ensure that businesses remain open and the wheel of the economy keeps turning."

He warned that if people failed to follow preventive guidelines issued by the government, it would result in "people losing their livelihoods".