NCOC imposes fresh curbs on schools, other sectors in cities with over 10% positivity

ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Wednesday announced new curbs on schools, large gatherings and other sectors in cities with an over 10% positivity ratio.

The NCOC issued fresh guidelines after taking a detailed review of the current disease situation in the country and corresponding protocols, it said in a statement.

“After a deliberate and consultative process with federating units, the forum agreed on the implementation of undermentioned NPIs/decisions,” the NCOC said, adding these measures will be implemented from January 20-31, and a review will be done on January 27.

The decisions were taken during an NCOC session held today in Islamabad with Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar in the chair, it added.

The forum said that the new curbs on the wedding sector would remain effective till February 15.

Curbs for cities with positivity ratio above 10%

Gatherings/weddings

• All types of indoor gatherings, weddings have been banned while outdoor gatherings are allowed with a maximum limit of 300 individuals (fully vaccinated).

Dinning

• There will be a complete ban on indoor dining. However, outdoor dining for fully vaccinated citizens and takeaway service will be allowed.

Gyms

• Indoor Gyms at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed.

Cinemas

• Cinemas will be allowed to open at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only.

Shrines

• Shrines are allowed to open at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only.

Amusement Parks

• Allowed to open at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated people only.

Sports

• There would be a complete ban on contact sports like karate, boxing, martial arts, water polo, kabaddi and wrestling.

Education sector

• Schools will be allowed to open with 50% attendance (staggered days) for students below the age of 12 years. For students (fully vaccinated) over 12 years, the NCOC has recommended 100% attendance.

Curbs for cities with less than 10% positivity ratio

Gatherings/weddings

• Indoor gatherings are allowed with a maximum limit of 300 guests (fully vaccinated), while outdoor events can be held with a maximum limit of 500 guests.

Dining

• Indoor and outdoor dining is permitted for fully vaccinated individuals only, while takeaways are allowed 24/7.

Gyms

• Indoor gyms are open for fully vaccinated individuals only.

Shrines

• Open for fully vaccinated individuals only.

Parks

• Open for fully vaccinated individuals only.

Sports

• All types of sports are allowed for vaccinated individuals.

Education

• Children will continue to attend schools with strict SOPs, while those above 12-years of age must have to be fully vaccinated.

Restrictions that are imposed across Pakistan

Business timings

• Businesses will continue without time restrictions

Public transport

• Public buses will be allowed to operate with 70% of their seating capacity. Wearing masks will be mandatory throughout the journey, with a complete ban on serving meals/snacks. Restrictions will come into force from January 20.

Railways

• Railways will operate with 80% occupancy level from January 24.

Office Routine

• Offices will be allowed to operate at 100% capacity with normal working hours. However, work from home is encouraged.

Domestic Air travel /meals

There will be a complete ban on meal/beverages serving during the in-flight journey for domestic travel.

Education sector

• With effect from February 2022 vaccination for students above 12 years will be mandatory (at least one dose). No exemption other than medical reasons will be entertained.
• Aggressive sentinel testing in educational institutions will be carried out for targeted closures in high disease prevalence education institutes.
• Federating units in consultations with health authorities will set a number/percentage for closure of education institutes.

Mask wearing

• Compliance to compulsory mask wearing while incorporating innovative measures for enforcement. Strict adherence to SOPs in mosques and other places of worship be ensured by all federating units.

Extended lockdowns

• Targeted lockdown with stringent enforcement protocols based on risk assessment will continue.