ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday reported 1,436 new cases and 25 deaths from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, with authorities imposing new restrictions to curb a second wave of the deadly disease.
These include a fine of Rupees 100 to 500 for not wearing a face mask in addition to a ban on indoor wedding ceremonies across Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and other cities starting from November 20.
A maximum of 1,000 people will be allowed at outdoor weddings, while 50 percent of staff at all public and private entities must work from home.
Additionally, all bazaars, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, bakeries, wedding halls and beauty parlors have been ordered to close shop by 10 p.m. while amusement parks can remain open until 6 pm.
According to data provided by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) – which leads the coronavirus mitigation efforts in Pakistan – the total number of cases stood at 343,189, with 6,968 deaths recorded across the country as of Sunday.
Despite the uptick in infections, Pakistan’s federal and provincial administrations decided on Thursday not to close educational institutions.
In August, the government had said that all sectors – which had shut down to prevent the spread of the disease – would be reopened the same month, resulting in a spike in cases ever since.
