NCOC issues Covid SOPs for Muharram

Govt issues travel advisory for Indian passengers

ISLAMABAD:

The government on Friday issued new coronavirus guidelines to be observed during the Majalis in the month of Muharram, while the Health Ministry issued a new travel advisory for Indian passengers.

According to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the wearing of mask and use of sanitisers have been made mandatory during the Muharram Majalis and processions.

The NCOC said that only vaccinated people would attend the Majalis, which would be held in open and spacious places with adequate ventilation arrangements. It further said that social distancing during congregations and processions would also be mandatory.

The forum said that people aged above 65 years and children must listen to Majlis from homes. According to the NCOC, it was necessary to implement the SOPs in order to prevent coronavirus spread during Muharram.

Separately, the Ministry of National Health Services issued a new Covid-19 travel advisory for the Indian passengers in the wake of surging cases of the new coronavirus variant in the neighbouring country.

A Ministry spokesperson said that the purpose of the travel advisory was to avoid cross-border transmission of the new variant. He added that instructions had been issued to the directorate of health services for strict monitoring of Indian passengers coming to Pakistan.

The spokesperson said that Health Minister Qadir Patel had clearly directed that there would be a strict checking mechanism at all entry points of the country, including airports and border crossing points, like Wagah or Kartarpur.

The advisory comes as seven deaths due to Covid-19 were reported in the country over the last 24 hours, according to National Institute of Health (NIH). It said that 679 new Covid-19 cases were also reported in a single day.

A total of 23,035 tests were conducted on Thursday, adding that the positivity ratio remained 2.95 %. The NIH said that 166 patients were in critical care.