ISLAMABAD: Amid rising number of COVID-19 infections, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) announced a complete ban on public gatherings, including both indoor and outdoor weddings across the country.
The coronavirus monitoring body took the decisions in a meeting held today (Sunday). The meeting was chaired by the Federal Minister of Planning and Development Asad Umar, whereas, chief ministers of all four provinces attended it via video link.
In a statement, the NCOC announced a complete ban on marriages, including indoor and outdoor, from 5th April onwards. “However, provinces will be at liberty to implement restrictions in early time frame as per the situation on the ground,” it added.
NCOC Special Session 28 March-Decisions
Complete ban on marriages (including indoor & Outdoor) from 5th April onwards. However, provinces will be at liberty to implement restrictions in early time frame as per the situation on ground.
— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) March 28, 2021
“All kinds of gatherings (indoor/outdoor) will also be banned with immediate effect. This will include all social, cultural, political, sports and other events,” read the NCOC statement.
All kind of gatherings (indoor / outdoor) will be banned with immediate effect. This will include all social, cultural, political, sports and other events.
— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) March 28, 2021
The NCOC further stated that the government is also mulling the prospects of more restrictions on inter-provincial travelling. “Various options for reduction of inter-provincial transport were considered,” the statement read.
“However, the final decision will be taken based on the input from all provinces and an analysis of the data about the number of inter-provincial commuters via air, rail and road,” said the NCOC.
The third wave of the coronavirus continues to ring alarm bells for Pakistan as 4,767 new cases of the virus were reported across the country on Sunday in a single day.
Fifty-seven more people died from the virus while 4,767 more contracted the disease on Sunday, according to figures obtained from the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).