Pakistan to tighten restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise

Islamabad: Following the spike in cases of COVID-19 and worsening situation across the country, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Monday decided to tighten restrictions and ensure implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar after a meeting of the NCOC announced in a tweet, “In the NCOC meeting this morning we decided to increase restrictions of activities contributing to a sharp increase in COVID-19 positivity.”

The NCOC has directed all the provinces as well as the Islamabad administration to strictly monitor implementation of SOPs and crack down on violations that are taking place, the minister said.

Pakistan on Monday reported 8.4 per cent positivity with 3,669 cases in 24 hours.

The NCOC forum met Monday morning to decide the future course of action.

Pakistan is currently grappling with the 3rd wave of coronavirus which is said to be more lethal and faster than the earlier two waves.

Education ministers meet on March 24

Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood has announced that all education and health ministers will meet on Wednesday, March 24, at the NCOC to take a decision regarding opening or further closure of educational institutions.

'Complete lockdown out of question'

A day earlier, Asad Umar in an interview had dismissed rumours that the country was heading towards a “complete lockdown”.

“Complete lockdown is not the solution,” he said. “You cannot shut down the entire country and steal people’s livelihoods,” added the minister.

Pakistan Day parade postponed due to rain

The Pakistan Day parade scheduled to be held on Tuesday has been postponed due to forecast of “inclement weather and rain” over the next two days, the Pakistan military’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Monday.

The parade will now be held on March 25, according to the ISPR statement.

“The Joint Services Pakistan Day Parade will now be held on March 25 as per programme and timings already specified,” it said.

630,471 infections, 13,863 deaths

Pakistan’s total number of infections jumped to 630,471 and deaths to 13,863 with 3,669 new cases and 20 deaths in the last 24 hours.

According to the NCOC, 43,498 tests were conducted during the past 24 hours with 1,686 people recovering in the same period. The country’s total number of recoveries has surged to 583,538.

There are 33,070 active cases of COVID-19 in the country, the NCOC data further reveals.

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