AJK to impose lockdown to curb spread of COVID-19

KASHMIR: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has decided to impose a 15-day lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus COVID-19.

According to sources, the decision was made on Tuesday after the AJK ‘s cabinet was briefed on the latest COVID-19 situation. The government will impose a lockdown in all districts simultaneously from November  20.

All public gatherings, including weddings, have been banned, while religious gatherings and funeral prayers will be carried out under COVID-19 SOPs.

All businesses and offices will remain closed while the government offices will operate at 50% capacity. Only essential services will be allowed under coronavirus SOPs.

Amid the rapid increase in positivity rate, the government is closing down schools and requested locals and Kashmiris based abroad to avoid travel. The government will announce the lockdown at a press briefing later today.

Meanwhile, as many as 2,050 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Pakistan, and the total number of infected people has reached 361,082.

According to the National Command and Operations Center, 33 deaths have been reported from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 7,193. In Pakistan, 324,834 patients have recovered and 2,955 are undergoing treatment. 

The number of coronavirus cases in Islamabad is 24,444 and 260 deaths. There are 3,686 coronavirus patients under treatment in Islamabad.

The number of coronavirus cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is 42,615 and 1,315 people have lost their lives. In Sindh, 156,528 coronavirus cases and 2,751 deaths have been reported.