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ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has expressed concern over violations of COVID-19 SOPs and warned of strict lockdown if people continue to flout coronavirus protocols.
The coronavirus monitoring body today (Monday) held a meeting under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar to review the COVID-19 situation.
The forum expressed serious concerns over the violation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) at restaurants, in-door gymnasiums, marriage halls, transportation, markets, tourist spots, among other sectors.
The NCOC also warned that the decision of relaxing COVID-related restrictions could be reversed. “The COVID-19 positivity rate has climbed to 2.97 percent with 19 deaths and 1,347 new cases,” Umar pointed out.
The NCOC has decided to call a meeting of chief secretaries from all the provinces to review the violations, come up with a strict mechanism to enforce SOPS, and ramp up the vaccination drive in the country.
The NCOC, in consultation with all federating units, has increased the number of vaccination centres in the provinces where Moderna vaccines will be administered.
As many as 3,000 Afghan students — studying in different educational institutions of Pakistan — will arrive in the country. “Effective COVID-19 testing has been arranged on the arrival of students.”
Students who test positive will be sent back, while the remaining students will be kept in mandatory quarantine for 10 days. Following the end of their quarantine period, students will be vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan said that COVID data from last week showed “small but definitive uptick in coronavirus cases, positivity rate and other parameters.
“Masks, avoidance of large crowds and continued vaccination remain crucial tools in this work,” he added.
Last month, the NCOC issued new guidelines which would be effective till July 31 under business centres are allowed to remain open till 10pm while important businesses, including petrol pumps and medical stores, can operate 24/7.
