‘Back to school’: Educational institutes to reopen from Sept 16

In a press conference, National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) head Asad Umar said that, previously strict restrictions were imposed on 24 districts across the country.

Out of them, strict margins will only be imposed in six districts including Lahore, Faislabad, Multan, Gujrat, Sargodha and Bannu. Whereas, the rest have been allowed easing in COVID protocols.

“Schools in six said districts will resume classes from September 16, with 50% attendance,” the minister added.

He further said that inter-city transport was earlier banned altogether from these districts. But now public buses can resume transport operations, accommodating 50% capacity of passengers.

In addition, the NCOC Chief said that outdoor dining time in these six districts have extended till midnight which was previously allowed to remain open till 10pm.

However, Indoor dining at restaurants will remain banned.

As time passing by, the fourth wave’s intensity is decreasing, said the Federal Minister.

“Hence, it is vital that we boost our vaccination process,” he added.

Asad added that the government has set a target to vaccinate 40% of the population above 15 years by the end of September.

Moreover, unvaccinated people will be barred from entering shopping malls, restaurants, wedding halls. People who will not get themselves inoculated against coronavirus will not be allowed to travel by air, weather domestic or international.

Earlier all public and private educational institutions from secondary and above in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) were reopened on June 07, which amid devastating COVID situation were closed again on September 6.

The schools, colleges and universities were asked to strictly implement the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) against Covid-19 to prevent the spread of deadly coronavirus.

It may be recalled that most of the educational institutions in Pakistan have been closed for the last one and a half years due to the COVID epidemic.