ISLAMABAD: The National Command Operations Center (NCOC) today approved closure of schools and tight SOPs measures in cities with a high Covid rate. In a statement issued today, NCOC has provided following guidelines for combat the fifth wave of the ongoing pandemic in the country.
For cities/districts with positivity above 10%:
Gatherings/Weddings:
Indoor gatherings of all types, including weddings, will be banned from January 24.
Outdoor gatherings, including weddings, will be allowed with a cap of fully vaccinated 300 guests — applicable from Jan 24.
Dinning
There will be a complete ban on indoor dining. However, outdoor dining for fully vaccinated citizens and takeaway service will be allowed.
Gyms
Indoor Gyms at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed.
Cinemas
Cinemas will be allowed to open at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only.
Shrines
Shrines are allowed to open at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only.
Amusement Parks
Allowed to open at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated people only.
Sports
There would be a complete ban on contact sports like karate, boxing, martial arts, water polo, kabaddi and wrestling.
Education sector
Schools will be allowed to open with 50% attendance (staggered days) for students below the age of 12 years. For students (fully vaccinated) over 12 years, the NCOC has recommended 100% attendance.
Cities with less than 10%
Gatherings/weddings
Indoor gatherings are allowed with a maximum limit of 300 guests (fully vaccinated), while outdoor events can be held with a maximum limit of 500 guests.
Dining
Indoor and outdoor dining is permitted for fully vaccinated individuals only, while takeaways are allowed 24/7.
Gyms
Indoor gyms are open for fully vaccinated individuals only.
Shrines
Open for fully vaccinated individuals only.
Parks
Open for fully vaccinated individuals only.
Sports
All types of sports are allowed for vaccinated individuals.
Education
Children will continue to attend schools with strict SOPs, while those above 12-years of age must have to be fully vaccinated.
Restrictions imposed across Pakistan
Business timings
Businesses will continue without time restrictions
Public transport
Public buses will be allowed to operate with 70% of their seating capacity. Wearing masks will be mandatory throughout the journey, with a complete ban on serving meals/snacks. Restrictions will come into force from January 20.
Railways
Railways will operate with 80% occupancy level from January 24.
Office Routine
Offices will be allowed to operate at 100% capacity with normal working hours. However, work from home is encouraged.
Domestic Air travel /meals
There will be a complete ban on meal/beverages serving during the in-flight journey for domestic travel.
Education sector
With effect from February 2022 vaccination for students above 12 years will be mandatory (at least one dose). No exemption other than medical reasons will be entertained.
Aggressive sentinel testing in educational institutions will be carried out for targeted closures in high disease prevalence education institutes.
Federating units in consultations with health authorities will set a number/percentage for closure of education institutes.
Mask wearing
Compliance to compulsory mask wearing while incorporating innovative measures for enforcement. Strict adherence to SOPs in mosques and other places of worship be ensured by all federating units.
Extended lockdowns
Targeted lockdown with stringent enforcement protocols based on risk assessment will continue.
