ISLAMABAD: The government, on Monday, while revising the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to contain rapidly increasing Covid-19 cases, has issued stricter SOPs effective with immediate effect.
These policy measures were taken here at a high-level meeting of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) held under the chairmanship of Asad Umar, which was also attended by provincial chief secretaries via video link along with other relevant officials.
As per the new guidelines, all businesses will only be allowed to operate five days a week, while all commercial activities will be closed by 8pm.
Asad Umar in a tweet said, “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 SOPs and crackdown on violations which are taking place.”
The forum expressed grave concern over the current Covid-19 situation in the country and unanimously agreed to implement some high impact interventions in cities and districts with positivity greater than eight percent to contain the spread of the disease.
In cities with a coronavirus positivity ratio of less than eight percent, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) including mandatory facemask use, which are already in place, will continue to be enforced, based on risk assessment and disease prevalence.
According to fresh guidelines issued by the NCOC to contain the Covid-19 spread, the government in collaboration with all the stakeholders has decided to take following measures: (i) Implementation of broader lockdowns with stringent enforcement protocols based on risk assessment. No mobility will be allowed except for emergencies. (ii) Closure of all type of indoor dining, however, outdoor dining will be permitted till 10pm as well as takeaways will be allowed. (iii) Closure of all commercial activities (less essential services) by 8pm. (iv) Two safe days per week will be observed. Choice of days will be at the discretion of the federating units. (v) Gatherings with an upper limit of 300 persons will be allowed with strict adherence to Covid-19 SOPs. However, all types of indoor gatherings involving cultural, musical/religious or miscellaneous events will be banned. (vi) Complete closure of cinemas and shrines will continue to be enforced. Complete ban on contact sports, festivals, cultural and other events. (vii) Outdoor wedding functions till 10pm with an upper limit of 300 guests will be allowed with strict adherence to Covid-19 SOPs (event duration two hours only). No indoor functions will be allowed. (viii) Complete closure of amusement parks, however, walking/jogging tracks will remain open with strict adherence to Covid-19 SOPs. 50 percent work-from-home policy will continue (including all public/private offices and courts).
(ix) Intercity public transport to operate at 50 percent of capacity, rail service to operate at 70 percent of capacity. (x) Compulsory mask-wearing will be ensured by all federating units while incorporating innovative measures for enforcement. (xi) Reduced presence at courts (City, District, High Courts and SC). (xii) Stringent protocols for tourism in the GB, KP, AJK and touristic places elsewhere. Sentinel testing sites at entry points/selected locations will be established. (xiii) Mass media coverage highlighting punitive actions. (xv) These high impact interventions will be implemented immediately and will remain enforced till April 11, 2021.
A review of the situation will be carried out at the NCOC on April 7, 2021.
The statement further said that a review of decisions related to the education sector, enforced with effect from March 10, 2021, will be carried out on March 24, 2021, at the NCOC.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021