MM News

ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) is expected to reach a decision today (Monday) regarding the closure of schools after reviewing the existing coronavirus situation in the country.

The NCOC will hold a meeting today to discuss preventive measures amid the rise in COVID-19 infections. The forum has invited the federal and provincial health and education ministers to suggest new guidelines to deal with the worsening coronavirus situation in the country.

The meeting will discuss a new set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) focusing on schools and the education sector along with public gatherings, marriage ceremonies, indoor/outdoor dining, and the transport sector. The meeting will also discuss ways and means to prevent the spread of coronavirus in schools, colleges and universities.

The last meeting of the NCOC on Saturday decided to extensively engage with provinces, especially with the Sindh government for necessary measures to tackle the rising coronavirus numbers. The positivity ratio in Karachi has reached an alarming level of 40 percent and could reach higher this week, leading to an increase in hospitalisations.

Last week, a meeting of education ministers to decide on whether schools should stay open or not amid a surge in Omicron cases was abruptly cancelled. It was later revealed that Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood had tested positive for COVID-19.

Punjab health minister Yasmin Rashid said that they do not favour the closure of schools. “We don’t want the schools shut since education has already suffered enough,” she said. She said that Punjab has vaccinated 80% of its students in schools and colleges. Regarding the Pakistan Super League 2022, the minister said NCOC will decide on allowing spectators at the venues.