ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has reportedly decided to extend curbs on schools in cities with over 10 percent positivity ratio till mid-February.
The forum had decided that schools in cities having an infection rate of over ten percent will allow classes for students aged below 12 years with 50 percent attendance on staggered days. However, classes for fully-vaccinated students over the age of 12 years will continue with full attendance.
In the cities and districts which have a positivity ratio of up to 10%, classes will continue as usual, but with stringent COVID-19 protocols intact, as per NCOC’s guidelines. With effect from February 1, at least one dose for students above 12 years will be mandatory and no exemption other than medical reasons will be entertained, the NCOC guidelines stated.
The NCOC added that vaccination of students above 12 years will be compulsory from February 1. Large-scale testing will continue at educational institutes across the country for their targeted closure. Federating units in consultations with health authorities will set a number of cases or infection rate as the benchmark for closure of education institutes, the forum had stated.
The NCOC had announced a new set of restrictions to contain rising Covid-19 cases. It said indoor and outdoor dining, as well as wedding functions will be allowed only for vaccinated people.
There will be a complete ban on indoor dining and weddings in cities with over 10% Covid positivity ratio with effect from Jan 24, the NCOC said. However, it added, outdoor dining and weddings with maximum limit of 300 fully vaccinated guests will be allowed.
