COVID-19: Pakistan announces closure of educational institutions in 7 cities

Islamabad: The Pakistan government has decided to close public and private educational institutions in seven major cities of Punjab from March 15 to March 28 in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood along with Special Assistant to PM (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan after a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), on Wednesday said educational institutions in seven cities - Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, Multan and Sialkot - would remain closed for two weeks for Spring break.

“COVID-19 situation under control”

The minister said the situation of COVID-19 pandemic was under control in Balochistan and Sindh therefore educational institutions in these provinces would follow 50 per cent attendance.

He, however, said the new orders would not be applicable to institutions that are conducting exams.

Dr Faisal Sultan said coronavirus cases were increasing in the country and urged the administrative departments to enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Parks to close after 6pm

Sultan said all recreational parks will close at 6pm while indoor dining will not be allowed in restaurants. Outdoor seating and takeaway services are permitted.

Offices have also been directed to function on 50 per cent staff capacity.

43 deaths in 24 hours

Pakistan has reported 43 deaths in the last 24 hours due to COVID-19 and 1,786 new infections in the same period.

After these latest figures Pakistan’s COVID-19 toll reached 13,324 while the number of positive cases has surged to 595,239,

According to the latest figures by the NCOC, 1,393 people have recovered from COVID-19 taking the overall recoveries to 565,216.

Foreign minister’s son tests positive for second time

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s son and PTI lawmaker, Zain Qureshi, has tested COVID-19 positive for the second time.

In a tweet Qureshi shared the news and said he was isolating himself after developing mild fever.

“I have tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time, isolating at home,” Zain wrote on his twitter account.

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