Celebrations in wedding halls to last only two hours: NCOC

Warns marriage halls of closure, fines if found in violation of SOPs

ISLAMABAD:

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) issued on Friday a notification announcing the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for marriage halls.

According to the notification, wedding functions can only last two hours, and are to end by 10pm. Moreover, a crowd of 300 will be allowed at indoor events and 500 at outdoor events.

The NCOC recommended that hall managements follow the SOPs strictly to ensure the infection does not spread during wedding functions. Wedding halls will be sealed and imposed a heavy fine on if found to be violating Covid-19 SOPs, the national body on Covid-19 warned.

The operation centre's notification called for strictly ensuring that SOPs are followed if public gatherings are absolutely necessary.

According to the NCOC, further discussion on public gatherings was underway and a decision regarding them will be made.

In September, the operation centre had also closed down various educational institutions for flouting Covid-19 health guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood had said that the government was conducting random testing of students for coronavirus after educational activities resumed in schools and universities across the country on September 15.

“One per cent infection rate has been witnessed in educational institutions which is satisfactory for the government,” the minister had said. “Educational institutions are being re-opened with strict implementation of SOPs related to Covid-19.”

The NCOC had, on September 18, announced that at least 13 educational institutions across Pakistan had been closed in the last 24 hours due to non-compliance of health guidelines or standard operating procedures (SOPs).

A day earlier, at least 22 educational institutions across the country were closed due to non-compliance of SOPs. As many as 16 educational institutions were closed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), one in Islamabad and five in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

At least 13 educational institutions were closed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and three in Sindh.