Pakistan
NCOC allows outdoor dining, opening of markets
The National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) Wednesday has issued a notification of latest coronavirus restrictions in the context of Ramadan further directing the provinces to take strict action given increasing COVID cases.
A statement issued by the NCOC said that a meeting of the NCOC was held under the chairmanship of Planning Minister Asad Umar to discuss the current COVID situation in the country.
According to the announcement, the sanctions will take effect on April 14 (the first of Ramadan).
According to a statement issued by the NCOC, Taraweeh will be organized in airy places across the country and the concerned district administration will ensure implementation of SOPs in collaboration with the mosque administration.
According to the statement, all kinds of indoor and outdoor events including social, political and sports will be banned across the country.
Orders were also issued that cinemas and shrines would remain closed.
The NCOC said in a statement that the markets would be open from dawn to 6 p.m.
In a special meeting chaired by NCOC chairman Asad Umar, it was decided that outdoor dining would be allowed starting from Iftar till midnight while food delivery can be carried till Sehri.
The NCOC said in a statement that inter-provincial transport would be closed for two days on Saturday and Sunday and would be effective until April 25.
In this regard, it was further said that a meeting will be held on April 20 for the further decision regarding inter-provincial transport in which the future strategy will be reviewed after reviewing the situation.
Besides, the NCOC clarified that inner-city transport would run with 50 per cent passengers while the railways would remain operational with 70 per cent passengers.
According to the NCOC, additional trains will be run during Ramadan to reduce congestion.
The statement said that SOPs would be strictly followed at tourist destinations in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir.
According to the NCOC, all amusement parks will remain closed but parks will be open for walking and jogging with SOPs.
According to the statement, the policy of working from home of up to 50% of employees in government and private offices will remain active.
In a meeting chaired by Asad Umar, it was decided that the NCOC review meeting would be held on the 10th of Ramadan.
It should be noted that the meeting held in the context of Ramadan is an attempt to stop the third wave of coronavirus.
Despite various restrictions and measures, the spread of the third wave of the global coronavirus in Pakistan does not seem to be slowing down and more than 4,000 cases have been reported in the country in the last 24 hours.
A further 135 patients have died in Pakistan, according to the official website created for the COVID-19 statistics.