Non-Pharma Interventions ordered in Peshawar

The Home & Tribal Affairs Department, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has directed all divisional and deputy commissioners for adopting various Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) in wake of over 10 per cent positivity ratio for Coronvirus in the provincial capital Peshawar.

Home Department has already issued instructions for the restrictions in those cities where the Covid rate is recorded more than 10 per cent from January 24 to February 15 including a complete ban on indoor weddings and other functions.

In outdoor weddings only 300 fully vaccinated guests can are allowed. From January 24 indoor dining has also been banned completely but takeaway and home delivery is allowed round the clock.

As far as public transport is concerned, 70 per cent passengers are allowed and Covid-19 related standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be strictly imposed.

Religious buildings will be allowed to hold congregations on the condition of operating only with 50 per cent of its capacity and with fully vaccinated participants. By the same token, in cinema halls, parks and swimming pools fully vaccinated people will be allowed with 50 per cent capacity.

As per the notification, martial arts, boxing and other sports will be banned and indoor gems are allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity.

On the other hand Chief Secretary Dr Shahzad Khan Bangash has ordered further accelerating the Covid-19 vaccination across the province in the face of the fifth wave of the pandemic. He directed the district administration to meet their targets of vaccination. Chairing a high level meeting, he said that 37 per cent population in the province had been fully inoculated with two doses. He, however, said that the drive needed to be further beefed up in order to save lives.

The meeting also discussed in depth the new Omicron variant.

Deputy Commissioners of all districts also participated through video link. The chief secretary ordered an awareness campaign among the masses so as to reduce the level of resistance against vaccination among the general public.

He also instructed that campaigns should launched to create awareness about the preventive measures against Omicron.

The meeting also discussed the availability of beds for Covid-19 patients in hospitals, availability of Oxygen and other related facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2022.