NCOC withdraws decision to allow indoor weddings, dining from Mar 15

The authority stresses strict compliance to SOPs in view of the prevailing ratio of the disease

ISLAMABAD/ PAKISTAN:

The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday issued fresh guidelines following a surge in the Covid-19 cases across the country.

Pakistan recorded at least 1,786 cases during the last 24-hour period, taking the national tally of confirmed cases to 595,239 since the start of the pandemic. 

The session was held with the authority's chairman Asad Umar in the chair and was "given a comprehensive update and review about the non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) already issued and which were valid till March 15".

Also read: Educational institutes to close for two weeks from March 15 in seven Punjab cities

The statement released by the country's nerve centre for Covid-19 response said that in view of the prevailing disease pattern and rising positivity ratio, strict compliance with mask-wearing will continue across the board.

SLDs [smart lockdown] and micro SLDs [micro smart lockdowns] will continue based on disease prevalence and hotspots.

The statement further said that 50 per cent work from home policy will be implemented at the discretion of the country's federating units. However, it will be enforced in Islamabad with immediate effect.

The time limit of 10 pm on all commercial activities will be re-enforced with immediate effect, less essential services. "Amusement Parks across the country will be closed at 6pm."

The statement further added that the earlier decision of allowing indoor weddings, indoor dining and the opening of cinemas and shrines with effect from March 15 has been withdrawn.

Also read: Covid-19 upsurge: NCOC to review resumption of regular classes in schools

"However, outdoor dining and takeaways will continue to remain open as per the previous practice."

"Outdoor gatherings will continue to remain limited to a maximum of 300 individuals with strict enforcement of COVID -19 SOPs.

"Review of all enforced NPIs will be carried out on April 12," the statement said and added that the decisions regarding NPIs by the forum are the base-line decisions. Federating units are at liberty to impose stricter NPIs in selected cities and districts keeping in view the local trend and spread of the Covid-19 virus.