Early vacations for K-P amid virus resurge
Millions of students in Pakistan returned to classes on last Tuesday after Covid-19 was contained in the country. PHOTO: REUTERS
With a second wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic gripping the province, the provincial authorities are considering taking stringent measures to keep the virus from spreading, including early winter vacations in educational institutions, the closure of markets and the imposition of smart lockdowns.
This was discussed on Wednesday during a meeting of the Provincial Task Force on novel coronavirus (Covid-19) which was held with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair.
The meeting reviewed the latest situation of the virus in the province, arrangements and preparation of the relevant departments.
The meeting was informed that the second wave of Covid-19 has started in the province with a surge of positive cases witnessed in the Upper and Lower Chitral districts and some parts of the Hazara division.
New virus cases are being reported in various educational institutions of the province as well, it was told.
The chief minister expressed concerns over the increase in cases of Chitral and directed the provincial health secretary to immediately visit the district and take necessary steps for enhancing the capacity of government hospitals, increase testing capacity at the local level for effectively dealing with the emergency.
The meeting directed the provincial education department to prepare a proposal for early winter vacations in education institutions, especially in the winter zones, to contain the possible spread of the virus.
In the light of the decisions of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), the meeting decided to ensure strict implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), including wearing of face masks in public places, closure of amusement parks at 6pm and closure of wedding halls, restaurants, and markets at 10pm.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2020.