As the UK variant spreads across the country, hotspot neighbourhoodsare going into lockdown and schools are closing.
Pakistan initially seemed to have to have avoided the high death tolls of many countries, but a new flare up is worrying officials.
“Please be very very careful. The new strain spreads faster and is more deadly,” Asad Umar, the minister overseeing the government’s Covid-19 response, said on Thursday.
He added “we will be forced to place stronger restrictions on activities” if compliance with the new measures did not improve.
The South Asian nation of 220 million is vaccinating frontline health workers and older people with over 1 million doses of Sinopharm donated by longtime ally China.
It has recorded 615,810 coronavirus infections and 13,717 deaths, with 3,495 cases and 61 deaths reported on Thursday.