NA temporarily suspends activities amid surge in Covid cases

Official statement says all offices of secretariat to remain closed until March 16

ISLAMABAD:

As Covid cases surge across the country following a third wave of the virus, the National Assembly announced a temporary suspension of all its activities on Sunday.

According to a statement released by the NA secretariat's administration, offices of the secretariat will remain closed for two days.

The announcement further said that all sessions of the standing and special committees and public accounts have been cancelled as part of the decision. The offices, it added, will remain closed until March 16.

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The notification stated that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had been directed to disinfect the secretariat's offices, whereas the staffers had been directed to immediately get tested in case of the emergence of symptoms.

The officers concerned can ask the basic staff to rejoin the office from March 17, it added.

Moreover, it has been made mandatory upon all staffers entering the secretariat to wear a face mask. From March 17, the statement said, the secretariat will operate from 10am to 4pm.

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According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 2,664 cases were reported in Pakistan on Saturday.

At least 53 deaths were also recorded, taking the total number of deaths to 13,487.

The country has so far recorded a total of 603,546, with the recoveries currently standing at 569,798.

On Thursday, Federal Minister Asad Umar confirmed that the third wave of Covid-19 had started in Pakistan and attributed the rising number of cases to the virus' UK strain.