Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had identified 92 hotspots in 20 cities which cover 40 percent of all active cases of COVID-19 and lockdown in these areas would affect only three percent of the total population of the country.

Addressing a media briefing, Asad Umar said effective hotspot lockdown could make a decisive difference.

He said by forcing lockdown in selective areas, substantial impact on disease spread could achieved while minimizing disruption in the livelihood of citizens.

Asad Umar said in order to cope with increasing pressure on hospitals with oxygen beds, the federal government had decided to provide 1000 beds to various hospitals across the country by end of the current month, while 1100 more beds by the end July 2020.