KARACHI:The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday decided to impose more restrictions on activities contributing to sharp increase in COVID-19 positivity ratio in Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has taken these decisions while chairing the NCOC meeting. The meeting was attended by chief secretaries of all provinces (via video link).
During the meeting, the NCOC expressed grave concern over the current situation of the coronavirus in Pakistan and agreed upon a number of high-impact interventions in cities and districts where the three-day rolling positivity rate average was over 8pc.
These restrictions will remain in effect till April 11 while a review will be held on April 7. “In cities with positivity less than 8pc, already imposed NPIs (non-pharmaceutical interventions) will continue to be enforced based on risk assessment/disease prevalence,” the forum said in a statement.
It also said that a review of previous decisions taken regarding educational institutions would be held on March 24 (Wednesday). The new restrictions decided by the NCOC include: implementation of broader lockdowns during which no movement will be allowed except for emergencies, closure of all indoor dining options while outdoor dining till 10pm and takeaways will be allowed and closure of all commercial activities, other than essential services, by 8pm.
The gatherings of up to 300 people will be allowed with strict observance of Covid-19 SOPs (standard operating procedures), all indoor gatherings involving cultural, musical/religious, or miscellaneous events will be banned, cinemas and shrines will continue to remain closed and all contact sports, festivals, cultural and other events will be banned.
The outdoor marriage events with up to 300 guests will be allowed for two hours only. However, all indoor marriage events will be banned, all amusement parks will be closed while walking and jogging tracks will remain open, 50 per cent work from home policy will continue for all public and private offices and courts, intercity public transport will operate at 50pc of capacity and rail service will operate at 70pc of capacity.
The mask wearing will be compulsory and will be ensured by all provincial and federal authorities through the incorporation of innovative measures, there will be a reduced presence of people at courts at all levels , strict protocols will be ensured for tourism in Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and tourist places across the country. Sentinel testing sites will be established at entry points and other selected locations. Two safe days will be observed per week that will be decided by provincial authorities.