The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday was briefed in detail about the plan of action for management of holy month of Muharram and compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. The NCOC meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar discussed daily situation brief, establishment of sentinel sites and SOPs compliance. The Forum was briefed on arrangements and measures to ensure public health and safety during upcoming month of Muharram. The forum was informed that a detailed plan of action incorporating health guidelines and protocols are in place after lengthy consultations with all stake holders. Speaking on the occasion, Asad Umar instructed all stake holders that to contain disease spread it is important that all necessary measures be enforced and violations may be checked for compliance through corrective measures and fines. He particularly emphasised for wearing of masks and maintaining social distance and more importantly checking tourists particularly those going to Northern Areas through on spot testing ensured through mobile testing camps. The Forum was told that a total of 27 targeted lockdowns were in place across Pakistan as part of test, trace and quarantine (TTQ) strategy for disease control. Meanwhile, Special Assistant on Health Dr Faisal Sultan on Monday feared that the coronavirus cases may increase in Pakistan if negligence is shown towards virus curbs and preventive measures. Noting that the country is reporting a steady decline in the COVID-19 cases for the past few weeks, the premier’s aide said that the slightest carelessness from people can lead to the re-emergence of the pandemic. “We should not undermine the use of masks and implementation of safety precautions to avoid the second wave,” Sultan stressed. “It is up to us to increase or decrease the number of cases in Pakistan,” he added. Pakistan has opened all sectors of the economy in a bid to revive its hard-hit economy. The country has reported 289,215 positive COVID-19 cases of which 269,087 have recovered, with 6,175 deaths.