The coronavirus outbreak began in China’s Wuhan province, which resulted in 14,000 cases in a single day. In January, the country initiated its ‘Cordon sanitaire’, a series of public health measures which included establishment of no-travel zones as well as a host of other movement restricting orders. With people paying heed and obliging, the number of cases began to plummet. Today, China has not only successfully flattened the curve but is also extending a helping hand to other countries like Italy and Pakistan etc. Chinese success in curtailing the Coronavirus pandemic has been largely dependent on businesses and individuals adopting appropriate self-isolation practices and the use of e-commerce coupled with digital payment mechanisms. From drone to robot deliveries and significant waivers on online purchases as well as transactions, the country put its best foot forward in a challenging situation.
In Pakistan, using digital payment solutions like Easypaisa or Jazzcash along with mobile applications from leading banks, people at home can have the ability to perform most of their daily transactions. The SBP has already has waived off all transactional charges on digital payments enabling swift and easy financial exchange and financial institutions are also doing their best to add more functionality and ensure seamless experiences for users so now it’s the citizens’ responsibility to avail it. The use of mobile banking platforms can also play a major role in providing financial services to businesses to continue serving customers as well as the government for distribution of payments during this time when there is a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country and the future is uncertain.These are trying times and our only hope is to stand together even when socially distanced. This is the best way we can make our contributions.
Nuzair A Virani
Karachi