The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday issued revised coronavirus guidelines and SOPs for the education, restaurant, entertainment and other sectors as Pakistan continues its battle against a fifth wave of the pandemic and struggles to contain the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
In cities and districts with positivity higher than 10 percent, the classes for children under 12 years will continue with 50 percent attendance, while classes will be conducted daily for fully-vaccinated students above 12 years of age.
In the cities and districts which have a positivity ratio of up to 10 percent, the classes will continue as usual, but with stringent COVID-19 protocols intact, as per NCOC’s guidelines.
The decisions were taken during an NCOC session held in Islamabad with Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar in the chair, a statement said.
The NCOC took a “detailed review” of the current trend of the pandemic in the country and after a “deliberate and consultative process”, it has agreed upon that indoor gathering of all types, including weddings, will be banned from January 24 where positivity ratio is above 10 percent.
It allowed to hold outdoor gatherings, including weddings, with a cap of fully vaccinated 300 guests.
The NCOC also issued the following conditions:
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.
