50% attendance in schools as NCOC announces Covid restrictions

ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) announced Wednesday a string of restrictions to curb rising Covid-19 cases.

A session of the country’s nerve centre for Covid response with Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar in the chair approved imposing restrictions from Jan 20 till Jan 31. These restrictions will be reviewed on Jan 27.

Following are the restrictions outlined by the NCOC:

• Classes for students aged below 12 years will be allowed with 50 per cent attendance in cities having an infection rate of over 10%. In other cities, however, schools will remain open with full attendance and students over the age of 12 years must be fully vaccinated.
• Vaccination of students above 12 years will be compulsory from Feb 1.
• Large-scale testing will be carried out at “high disease prevalence” educational institutes for targeted closure.
• Markets and businesses will continue to operate without any restriction.
• Indoor and outdoor dining, as well as wedding functions will be allowed only for vaccinated people.
• There will be a complete ban on indoor dining and weddings in cities with over 10% Covid positivity ratio with effect from Jan 24. However, outdoor dining and weddings with maximum limit of 300 fully vaccinated guests will be allowed.
• Only vaccinated people will be allowed in gyms, cinemas, shrines, and amusement parks. However, 50% capacity will be ensured at these places in cities with more than 10% positivity rate.
• Public transport will operate with 70% occupancy (trains at 80%) for fully vaccinated and mask wearing will be mandatory throughout the journey.

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