NCOC eases coronavirus restrictions
ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Thursday has decided to ease some of the coronavirus restrictions that it earlier put in place ater carefully reviewing the existing non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIS) or alternate measures to treat COVID-19 other than medical treatment.
The NCOC said that the decisions could be reviewed again in view of the increased disease prevalence, whenever deemed necessary.
According to a statement issued in this regard, provinces can, however, enforce targeted NPIS where required, depending upon disease prevalence in a given area or sector.
Following are some of the decisions taken by the NCOC. Time-limit li ed from commercial activities
and amusement parks. Condition of 50 per cent work from home
removed for office employees. Indoor wedding ceremonies will be allowed from March 15, 2021, with stringent COVID-19
standard operating procedures (SOPS) in place. Indoor dining allowed from March 15, subject to a review on March 10. Opening of cinemas and shrines allowed with strict COVID-19 SOPS with effect from March 15. Wearing of face masks, social distancing, smart lockdowns will continue and will be ensured.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood announced that all the schools would reopen
for regular 5-day classes from March 1.
In a statement issued on Twiter, the minister
said that schools will resume regular 5-day classes
from Monday.
Restrictions imposed in some major cities on
schools to conduct staggered classes was only
till Feb.28, he added.
Mehmood said that the announcement applies to every educational institution in the designated cities where restrictions had been imposed.
He clarified that all the educational institutions will continue to observe the normal COVID-19 SOPS such as physical distancing, mask-wearing and ensuring hand washing facilities.
In January, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), ater a detailed discussion with all stakeholders, had decided that students in Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore and Peshawar would a end classes with 50 per cent strength on alternate days due to the coronavirus cases in these cities.