COVID-19 Second Phase Lockdown Option and Public Opinion: A case study in Pakistan

Novel corona virus (nCoV-19) is associated with lower respiratory tract infection, with mild to severe symptoms and fatalities, especially in patients with other comorbid conditions like metabolic, cardiovascular or respiratory disorders. Pakistan has been recording exponentially growing coronavirus cases ever since it lifted the lockdown in early May. National and International health and research institutes have recommended a second phase lockdown to curb the country’s current epidemic situation (Peshimam, 2020). However, government remains uncertain in perspective of poor, daily wagers and declining economic growth. As the general public is central to success of any health and preventive strategy, public outlook is considered as a key factor in feasibility studies for a national plan. The present study is designed to explore the general opinion of Pakistani population about lockdown interventions, associated problems and their disposition on the second phase lockdown. This questionnaire based survey study suggested that even though the first lockdown was not followed sufficiently, two-third respondents opted for a complete compliance with future lockdown. The belief in religious/home safety methods and denial of coronavirus existence are the major causes for incompliance with lockdown instructions. However, the awareness among general public is rising which may help to halt the spread of infection in the future.