Live: Prime Minister Imran Khan talks to senior journalists in Islambad https://t.co/qPQPKVWJ3f — Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) March 20, 2020

Prime Minister Imran Khan has ruled out a complete lockdown in the country which he believes would slow down the economy and increase unemployment.“We are also developing a comprehensive economic package which will be announced on Tuesday,” the premier said during an interaction with senior journalists in Islamabad on Friday.The prime minister said the government is going to announce incentives for the construction industry, so that day labourers associated with the industry continue to get work amid the economic slowdown in the country.“We want to make sure that people don’t start dying because they can no longer earn enough to afford two square meals a day.”Imran warned the people to strictly follow social distancing as the country “is facing two major threats” due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, advising at least 45-day self-quarantine for everyone to help the government tackle the crisis.“I fear if the number of COVID-19 cases suddenly surged like it has happened in Europe our health care system would not be able to cope with it as we don’t have enough ventilators and intensive care units (ICUs),” he said.Speaking of the second major challenge, the premier said the spread of panic and fear in the society will make the situation worse. “Media houses need to refrain from creating sensationalism. PEMRA will issue guidelines in this regard,” he added.Responding to the criticism about the alleged mismanagement in the quarantine camps at the Pakistan-Iran border crossing at Taftan, Imran said the federal and Balochistan governments have provided all facilities to pilgrims at Taftan.“It is unfair to accuse Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan for the spread of the coronavirus,” the prime minister said, adding that the virus in Pakistan spread due to Iran’s inability to control the spread of COVID-19. “I urge the international community to immediately lift sanctions on Iran.”The prime minister also said experts believe that with the increase in temperature the intensity of the coronavirus will reduce.