COVID-19 restrictions extended in six cities till Feb 21

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has decided to extend the already enforced coronavirus curbs in the cities with COVID-19 positivity rate higher than 10% till February 21. 

After reviewing the coronavirus situation in the country and cities with high disease prevalence in detail, the NCOC has agreed to keep the coronavirus related restrictions in place in the cities and districts with COVID-19 positivity rate higher than 10% for at least three days, a notification issued by the forum stated.

The cities/districts where the restrictions will remain imposed are as follows:

• Gilgit
• Muzaffarabad
• Mardan
• Karachi
• Hyderabad
• Peshawar

The NCOC said that the restrictions will be reviewed again on February 21 and directed all the concerned authorities to notify about the extension of restrictions at priority.

Cities/ districts with positivity above 10%

The following restrictions will remain imposed in the above mentioned cities:

Gatherings/Weddings:

• Indoor gatherings of all types, including weddings will be banned.
• Outdoor gatherings, including weddings, will be allowed with a cap of 300 fully-vaccinated guests.

Dinning

• There will be a complete ban on indoor dining. However, outdoor dining for fully-vaccinated citizens and takeaway service will be allowed.
• Restaurants and eateries will be allowed to offer takeaway service 24/7.

Gyms

• Indoor gyms at 50% capacity for fully-vaccinated individuals will be allowed.

Cinemas

• Cinemas will be allowed to open at 50% capacity for full-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.

Sport

• 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 standard operating procedures (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.

Railways

• Railways will operate with an 80% occupancy level.

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 with 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.