ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday imposed with immediate effect a ban on all gatherings and will introduce lockdowns in the coming days as coronavirus figures are surging again.
At least 4,767 new infections were reported in the past 24 hours, a record this year. In all, 654,591 cases and 14,215 deaths linked to the coronavirus have been reported in Pakistan, a country of 220 million, since February last year.
The ban on gatherings was imposed following a special session of the government’s central body dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), on Sunday.
"All kind of gatherings (indoor/outdoor) will be banned with immediate effect. This will include all social, cultural, political, sports and other events," the NCOC said in a statement.
Lockdowns will be in place from Monday as the NCOC will provide updated hotspot maps to all provinces. A ban on marriage functions will be introduced from April 5, while authorities are also considering restrictions on public transportation.
Planning Minister Asad Umar, who heads the NCOC, said the decision to tighten the restrictions was due to a rise in the number of patients, especially those in critical condition.
“Based on continuing increase in disease spread & fast pace at which hospital fill up is taking place, particularly critical covid patients, decided to further tighten restrictions,” he said in a tweet.
Pakistan had opened up almost all sectors of society in previous months but as a third viral wave is building in the country, authorities earlier this month reversed a decision to allow large indoor and outdoor gatherings. Schools were also closed again for two weeks.
Some regions, including the capital Islamabad and Punjab province have already reimposed more restrictions and partial lockdowns.