ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), the government’s central body dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, has decided to impose Section 144 in Islamabad, the interior minister said on Monday, referring to a legal provision that allows officials to prohibit, among other things, public gatherings.
The law gives powers to state governments and the local police, and breaking it is a criminal offense.
“As per the recommendations of the NCOC, section 144 has been imposed in Islamabad under which … people can be fined and arrested,” interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said in a video message. “So, it is the duty of all of us to follow standard operating procedures.”
The NOCO also announced that it would implement “broader lockdowns with stringent enforcement protocols based on risk assessment. No mobility will be allowed except emergencies.”
In a statement sent to the media, the NCOC said indoor dining would be completely banned and only outdoor dining would be allowed until 10pm, while all commercial activities, except essential services, had to shutter at 8pm. Provinces would have to practice “two safe days” of their choosing.
All types of indoor gatherings were banned, the NCOC said, while outdoor gatherings limited to 300 people would be allowed until 10pm with strict adherence of SOPs. Cinemas, amusement parks and shrines would be closed while walking and jogging tracks could remain open with strict adherence to COVID SOPs. Tourist destinations in the country were instructed to put in place “stringent protocols.”
“50 % work from home policy will continue (including all public / private offices and courts),” the NCOC said. “Intercity public transport to operate at 50 % of capacity. Rail service to operate at 70 % of capacity.”
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical Association on Monday urged the government to expedite the COVID-19 vaccination drive and strictly implement coronavirus standard operating procedures to limit the spread of the disease, as a third wave of the virus builds in the South Asian nation of 220 million.
On Monday, Pakistan’s national positivity rate was 8.43 percent, with 3,669 new infections and 20 deaths reported in the past 24 hours.
“Vaccination process should be very fast; at least 70 percent of [adult] population of Pakistan needs to be vaccinated as early as possible so that we could have normal routine activities,” PMA secretary general Dr. Qaisar Sajjad told Arab News
He said it was important to stop the spread of the virus between cities, urging authorities to take “strict administrative actions on violators of standard operating procedures.”
“Pakistan is passing through a third wave, and the new UK variant can spread fast,” Sajjad added.
The National Command and Operation Center on Monday said it would increase restrictions on activities contributing to the surge in the COVID-19 positivity rate.
“The provincial & ICT (Islamabad) administration ... directed to tighten implementation of the SOPs and crackdown on violations which are taking place,” planning minister Asad Umar, who also heads the NCOC, tweeted on Monday.
In the NCOC meeting this morning we decided to increase restrictions of activities contributing to sharp increase in covid positivity. The provincial & ICT administration were also directed to tighten implementation of sop's and crackdown on violations which are taking place.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 22, 2021
Pakistan’s education minister Shafqat Mahmood said on Sunday the federal and provincial education ministers would meet on Wednesday, March 24, to decide on the reopening of educational institutes. The government had early announced a two-week spring break for educational institutes starting March 15.
Authorities had opened up almost all sectors of society in previous months but earlier this month reversed a decision to allow large indoor gatherings like cinemas, theaters and marriage halls.
