ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad administration has imposed more restrictions on movement in the federal capital amid a surge in the positivity ratio of COVID-19.
According to a notification issued by the administration on Friday, all out-door dining facilities will remain close in the capital city after 10:00 pm.
Furthermore, the restaurants, markets, will remain completely shut on weekdays (Saturday and Sunday), while the grocery and medical stores will, however, remain open during the restricted period.
The hotels and restaurants will be allowed to offer takeaway services as business activities and restaurant services have been restricted owing to the rising COVID positivity ratio.
Increase in covid postivity has resulted in further restrictions. Outdoor dining to be closed at 10 pm. Weekends will be off for any activity. Take aways are allowed 24 hours pic.twitter.com/GtrvdFxvNU
— Deputy Commissioner Islamabad (@dcislamabad) March 19, 2021
Pakistan recorded 3,449 new cases of COVID-19 and forty more deaths and was reported across the country during the last twenty-four hours.
According to the latest statistics from National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the total number of cases from the novel coronavirus has surged to 619,259. The death toll from the virus has reached 13,757 as the situation worsens across the country.
The number of active cases has reached 27,188 while 2,064 are still in critical condition. A total of 42,845 tests were conducted across the country during this period. The positivity ratio was recorded at 8.04 percent during the past day.
The situation has worsened in Punjab which has 12,569 active cases. The province has recorded 193,054 cases while the death toll has reached 5,919. The government has imposed a smart lockdown in various cities while the hospital occupancy has reached maximum capacity in several districts.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has reversed a decision that had allowed uncapped prices for Covid-19 vaccines imported by private firms, Special Assistant on Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan said.
Pakistan had early allowed private companies to import coronavirus vaccines and agreed to exempt such imports from price caps. The government is importing vaccines to administer free jabs to the people in phases.
