NCOC proposes COVID restrictions in urban centres amid Omicron spike

ISLAMABAD: National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Saturday discussed the need for restrictions on movement, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), amid a surge in COVID cases especially the Omicron variant, ARY NEWS reported.

According to details shared after the NCOC meeting headed by Asad Umar, the forum reviewed the disease’s trends in the country and discussed the epidemic curve chart data, disease prevalence and proposed NPIs in wake of rising disease trends in the country, especially in the urban centers.

The NCOC decided to extensively engage with provinces especially with the Sindh government for necessary measures to tackle the rising disease.

The forum that is at the centre of devising a strategy to deal with the COVID situation in Pakistan reviewed existing NPIs and called on provincial health and education ministers session on 17 January 22.

The session was convened to suggest the new set of restrictions focusing on the education sector, public gatherings, marriage ceremonies, indoor and outdoor dining and transport sector.

Read More: SCHOOLS TO STAY OPEN AS SINDH ANNOUNCES NEW COVID RESTRICTIONS

The NCOC also directed the provinces to conduct surveys on oxygen stock and other medical facilities needed to deal with emergency response in case of a COVID surge.

It also directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to strictly implement COVID SOPs during travel besides also banning any sort of foodservice. The provinces are also directed to implement SOPs on transport and education sectors, restaurants and marriage halls.