Covid curbs return as fifth wave digs in

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday assured the trade community that the government would not shut the business activities in the country amid the ongoing fifth wave of coronavirus, stressing that the authorities would face off the challenge with non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs).

The prime minister’s pledge to keep the businesses going came as the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) announced a set of new restrictions in cities with an over 10% Covid-19 positivity ratio.

The country is battling the fifth wave of the deadly pandemic, driven by the Omicron variant. The NCOC, which serves as the nerve centre of the country’s anti-Covid strategy, reported more than 5,000 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours for the second straight day.

Addressing the launching ceremony of the new Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) policy in Islamabad, Prime Minister Imran Khan termed the coronavirus pandemic “a crisis of the century” from which Pakistan was steered out due to the government’s successful policies.

He said Pakistan’s strategy against Covid had been praised worldwide, adding that during the ongoing fifth wave of Covid, the government would not close businesses. He added that the challenge would be overcome with strict implementation of the virus-induced standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Meanwhile, in its daily update of the pandemic, the NCOC reported 5,472 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, the highest since August last year. According to the forum, the national positivity ratio reached 9.48%.

The current situation of the coronavirus across the country and the implementation of precautionary measures were reviewed in a meeting of the NCOC, held under the chairmanship of Planning Minister Asad Umar.

The meeting decided to impose a complete ban on all types of indoor gatherings, including dine-in and wedding, and all types of contact sports in the districts and cities where the Covid-19 positivity rate exceeded 10%.

In the Covid hotspots, outdoor weddings have been restricted to 300 fully vaccinated individuals, while outdoor dining and takeaway will be allowed. Education activities have also been limited in the virus hotspots, according to the NCOC.

“Schools with students under-12 years of age will have 50% attendance with a three days per week schedule, whereas schools with students over 12 years of age will have 100% attendance,” the NCOC said, adding that vaccination was mandatory for all students above 12.

Read: Covid cases see biggest daily jump in five months

“Indoor gyms will be allowed to operate on 50% capacity and cinemas, shrines, and parks will also be subject to 50% occupancy. Public transport has also been instructed to continue its work with a capacity of 70%,” the forum said.

Indoor gatherings, including weddings, of up to 300 people will be allowed in cities where Covid-19 positivity rate is less than 10%, while outdoor gatherings with a maximum limit of 500 guests have been permitted. Gyms, dine-ins and parks will be open for fulling vaccinated individuals only.

The decision on changes in business and office hours was not made by the NCOC as of yet. The forum will meet again on January 27 to review the situation. The new measures will remain in effect from January 20 to 31. The ban on indoor dining will be in effect from January 24 to February 15.

The NCOC said that a positivity of rate of more than 10% had been recorded in seven cities. Top of the list is Karachi with 40.13% ratio, followed by 21.43% in Muzaffarabad, 15.15% in Lahore, 13.98% in Hyderabad, 11.80% in Islamabad, 10.68% in Peshawar and 10.26% in Rawalpindi.

The NCOC decided that markets and business activities will continue without any restrictions and normal working hours with 100% employee attendance, provided that they are fully vaccinated. However, it did add that work from home is encouraged.

The curbs return as the country remains in the grip of the fifth wave of the coronavirus, which is being driven by the superspreader Omicron variant. Several educational institutions in Islamabad and Karachi have either been sealed or have suspended their activities, while districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been ordered to implement smart lockdowns in Covid hotspots.

HBL PSL

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Wednesday that the NCOC had allowed 25% spectators’ attendance for the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 matches to be played in Karachi’s National Stadium from January 27 to February 7.

“The decision means around 8,000 spectators will be allowed inside the venue [on] each match day,” the PCB said in statement, adding that entry would be subject to strict Covid-19 protocols. “Anyone violating the NCOC guidelines shall be liable to be evicted out of the stadium,” the statement read.

PCB Chief Operating Officer and HBL PSL Tournament Director Salman Naseer said: “As a responsible organisation, we completely understand our obligations in relation to health and safety of the fans and will leave no stone unturned in strictly implementing the NCOC guidelines.”

According to the PCB statement, the NCOC will take a decision regarding the PSL’s matches in Lahore, which will be played at Gaddafi Stadium between February 10 and February 27, closer to the time of these fixtures.

(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)