ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s top monitoring body on novel Covid-19 announced stern restrictions for a number of cities as the fifth wave of the coronavirus continues its momentum in the country.
NCOC Session was held in the country’s federal capital on Wednesday (today) with the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar in the Chair. The National Coordinator Major General Muhammad Zafar Iqbal Co-chaired the NCOC meeting.
Officials reviewed the alarming situation in the country and announced actions, apart from getting vaccinated and taking medicine, to curb the spike. The forum agreed on the implementation of the decisions after a deliberate and consultative process with federating units, per reports.
As per the new guidelines, classes for students aged below 12 years will be allowed with 50 percent attendance in cities having an infection rate of above 10 percent.
Meanwhile, indoor and outdoor dining will be allowed only for vaccinated people and indoor dining will not be allowed in cities with over 10pc Covid positivity ratio. Outdoor dining will be allowed with a maximum limit of 300 fully vaccinated guests.
The stern decisions will be implemented from January 20, with a review on January 27, 2022. However, NPIs for the wedding sector will remain effective till next month.
Pakistan reports over 5,000 Covid cases for the second straight day
Amid an alarming rise in Covid cases, the COVID -19 positivity ratio jumped to nearly 10pc in the country.
