The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has hit Pakistan’s major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Gilgit, Multan, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad and Islamabad among others. As the coronavirus positivity ratio witnessed a rapid increase last week, fresh coronavirus guidelines were laid down by the government with regard to public and private sector offices and indoor gatherings. The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) imposed a ban on indoor weddings starting November 20, stating that these measures would “remain in force till 31 January 2021,” in the “major cities with high positivity and higher disease spread potential”.
The revised SOPs also included the “policy of work from home for 50% of the staff in all public/private offices” and “relatively broader smart lockdowns (SLDs) based on hotspot areas”. The statement said that only outdoor marriages will be allowed with an upper limit of 1,000 persons. In the past 24 hours, Pakistan has recorded at least 1,700 cases, the highest in more than three months. Following this, the NCOC held another meeting today, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar, where major concerns regarding the ongoing pandemic were raised.
NCOC has once again recommended to ban all large public gatherings. Rapid increase in positivity requires urgent steps to save lives & livelihoods. Since mid October, when NCC first considered the NCOC recommendation to ban large public gatherings daily cases have nearly tripled
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) November 11, 2020
The national political leadership across the political spectrum needs to demonstrate leadership to send a message to the entire nation for taking preventive steps and follow sop's. Consensus needed in NCC for taking this decision, which has been delayed due to lack of consensus
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) November 11, 2020
Taking to his Twitter, Umar posted, “NCOC has once again recommended to ban all large public gatherings. Rapid increase in positivity requires urgent steps to save lives and livelihoods. Since mid-October, when NCC first considered the NCOC recommendation to ban large public gatherings, daily cases have nearly tripled.” This is an alarming situation for Pakistan, indeed. Umar continued, “The national political leadership across the political spectrum needs to demonstrate leadership to send a message to the entire nation for taking preventive steps and follow SOPs. Consensus needed in NCC for taking this decision, which has been delayed due to lack of consensus.” The National Command and Operation Centre also recommended early and extended winter vacations for students amid the rise in the Covid-19 positivity ratio at educational institutions across Pakistan.
