ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Center has called for banning large public gatherings and enhancing restrictions in high-risk areas due to the resurgence of COVID-19.
The NCOC meeting chaired by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar in reviewed the epidemic curve data and disease prevalence in the country. The forum suggested certain urgent measures to National Coordination Committee to check the spread of the pandemic.
These measures include a ban on all public gatherings of more than 500 people, early and extended winter vacations, closure of cinemas, theatres and shrines with immediate effect, and only outdoor dining till 10PM at restaurants and takeaway.
While issuing guidelines about wedding ceremonies, the NCOC decided that only outdoor events with an upper limit of 500 people will be allowed from 20th November.
The forum was told that the disease had increased three folds since the NCOC recommended banning large public gatherings and outdoor activities on 12th October and 3rd November to the National Coordination Committee for its final decision.
The forum was briefed that there is an increasing positivity ratio in educational institutions and there is a need to check this trend. The forum decided that Federal Minister for Education would chair a special meeting at NCOC on 16th November with provincial education ministers on board to assess and review the positivity prevailing in educational institutions.
After consultative discussions, the recommendations would be shared with the provinces for consequent decision and enforcement.
