NCOC directives: Sindh notifies new restriction for schools

KARACHI: The Sindh government Thursday notified new restrictions in schools in line with the directives issued by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

“In pursuance of the decision of the NCOC meeting held on 19/01/2022 and with the approval of Competent Authority, keeping in the current rapid spread of COVID-19 Omicron critical condition, the following decisions have been made for strict compliance throughout the province in all public, private and allied intuitions of Sindh under the administration of this department,” read the notification issued by School Education and Literacy Department of the Sindh government.

Following are the new directives for Sindh schools:

1. Classes for students under 12 years will continue to remain open with stringent COVID protocols with 50% attendance on staggered days.
2. Classes for students above 12 years will continue to remain open with stringent COVID protocols (fully vaccinated) and with 100% attendance.
3. Vaccination of students above 12 years will be mandatory (at least one dose) w.e.f 1st February, 2022. No exceptions other than medical reasons will be entertained.
4. Aggressive sentinel testing in educational institutions will be carried out for targeted closures in high disease prevalence education institutes.