Pakistan bans all types of public gatherings to stem spread of coronavirus

ISLAMABAD – The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Sunday imposed complete ban on all types of gatherings including social, cultural, political, sports and other events to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Federal Minister of Planning and Development Asad Umar chaired the meeting, whereas chief ministers of all four provinces attended it via video link. In a series of tweets, NCOC announced the decision taken on Sunday meeting.

All kind of gatherings (indoor / outdoor) will be banned with immediate effect. This will include all social, cultural, political, sports and other events.

— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) March 28, 2021

However, weddings (including both indoor and outdoor) will be banned from April 5 onward. The provinces will be at liberty to implement restrictions as per the situation on ground, the NCOC said.

NCOC Special Session 28 March-Decisions

Complete ban on marriages (including indoor & Outdoor) from 5th April onwards. However, provinces will be at liberty to implement restrictions in early time frame as per the situation on ground.

— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) March 28, 2021

NCOC will provide updated hotspot maps to Provinces for enforcement of Expanded lockdowns with effect from 29th March 21

— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) March 28, 2021

“The government is also mulling the prospects of more restrictions on inter-provincial travelling. Various options for reduction of inter-provincial transport were considered," the NCOC statement read.

However, the final decision will be taken based on the input from all provinces and an analysis of the data about the number of inter-provincial commuters via air, rail and road, said the NCOC.

Held ncoc meeting today with provincial chief secretaries & reviewed the situation. Based on continuing increase in disease spread & fast pace at which hospital fill up is taking place, particularly critical covid patients, decided to further tighten restrictions.

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 28, 2021

Federal Minister added that the decision has been taken because of the alarming spike of critical Covid-19 patients in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad. NCOC will meet again on April 7 to review the situation. 

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