Tag: COVID protocols

  • NCOC allows 50 per cent crowd in Lahore leg of PSL, children under 12

    NCOC allows 50 per cent crowd in Lahore leg of PSL, children under 12

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has allowed 50 per cent crowd for Lahore leg of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after a session chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar was held. The forum discussed the pandemic data, national vaccination progress, inbound health protocols and second leg of the ongoing PSL.

    Read More – PSL teams to arrive in Lahore today and tomorrow

    As per NCOC, “PCB has been allowed to conduct PSL Lahore matches with 50% stadium capacity for fully vaccinated spectators till February 15, 2022, however, from February 16 onwards 100 % stadium capacity for fully vaccinated spectators will be allowed. Children under 12 years of age (un-vaccinated) will also be allowed.”

    “RAT test for Inbound Passengers on arrival at Pakistani airports has been abolished with effect from February 8, however, RAT test will continue to be conducted for deportees from foreign countries and for non-vaccinated individuals arriving from land border terminals,” added NCOC in its statement.

    Days before the start of the PSL’s seventh edition, the NCOC had reduced the crowd capacity to 25 per cent in light of rising coronavirus cases. But now, as the positivity rate lowers, the forum has revised its decision.

    The Lahore leg matches will be staged completely under the lights of the Gaddafi Stadium. The matches will kickstart on February 10, with the unbeaten Multan Sultans facing off against Peshawar Zalmi.

  • Want to go watch the PSL matches during Covid? Here is what you need to know

    Want to go watch the PSL matches during Covid? Here is what you need to know

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly finalised a plan to complete the Pakistan Super League season seven smoothly despite Covid-19 fears.

    The much awaited league is set to start from January 27 and will be played in Karachi and Lahore.

    The previous two editions of the league were affected by the pandemic and were completed in two phases after a brief postponement.

    Keeping the fifth Covid-19 wave in mind, the board and the franchises have chalked down the protocols to complete the tournament smoothly.

    Reportedly, the authorities have made a three-day quarantine mandatory for the people associated with the league.

    Local and foreign players will enter quarantine from January 20. In case of a positive test, 10-day isolation will be obligatory for the affected person.

    Families of the players will not be allowed to stay with them during the tournament.

    The report further revealed that the availability of a minimum of 13 players is essential for the conduct of a match. In case less than 13 players are available, a match will not be possible.

    The tournament will be suspended for seven-day if coronavirus infections break out during the league.

    A reserve pool of 24 local players will be readied for the PSL 7. These players will also enter quarantine from January 20.

    The security plans were also discussed in a meeting held by Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja.

    Meanwhile, the online sale of tickets of the league will start from today (Tuesday). PCB has also reportedly offered free tickets for the fans, one free ticket will be given for every four tickets purchased.

    The spectators will have to be fully vaccinated and follow the Covid-19 SOPs.

  • Here’s everything you need to know about the Delta variant

    At least 40 cases of the Delta variant — a highly virulent Covid-19 strain — have been recorded in the country in the last few days. Heath experts also suspect the presence of the Delta variant in Lahore.

    With increasing number of cases of this deadly variant, here is everything you need to know about the Delta variant.

    What is the Delta variant?

    The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, can spread more easily, according to Web MD. The strain has mutations on the spike protein that make it easier for it to infect human cells, which means people may be more contagious if they contract the virus and spread it more easily to others.

    Why should we be worried?

    As per the New York Times, Delta variant is believed to be the most transmissible variant yet, and it can cause more severe illness. One study found that people infected by the Delta variant were roughly twice as likely to be hospitalised as those infected with the Alpha Variant.

    Does vaccines work against Delta variant?

    Data suggests that several widely used shots — including those made by Pfizer, BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson and AstraZenca — appear to retain most of their effectiveness against Delta.

    How does the Delta Variant spread more rapidly inside the body?

    A recent study explains why the Delta variant grows more rapidly in the body. Delta variant grows more rapidly inside people’s respiratory tracts and to much higher levels, researchers at the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

    On average, people infected with the delta variant had about 1,000 times more copies of the virus in their respiratory tracts than those infected with the original strain of the coronavirus, the study reported.

    After someone catches the Delta variant, the person likely becomes infectious sooner. On average, it took about four days for the Delta variant to reach detectable levels inside a person, compared to six days for the original coronavirus variant.

    In the past 24 hours, Pakistan has recorded 2,327 cases of Covid-19 with a positivity rate of 6.1 per cent.

  • PM’s surprise visit to PIMS Hospital’s Covid ward

    PM’s surprise visit to PIMS Hospital’s Covid ward

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday night paid a surprise visit to the coronavirus ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, to review the conditions there. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Khan met with the patients and inquired about their health.

    The premier particularly inquired about the facilities being provided to COVID-19 patients at the hospital, particularly the availability of oxygen and medicines.

    Addressing the staff at the hospital, the PM said that since healthcare workers are the country’s frontline fighters, they should also take care of themselves apart from taking care of the patients.

    The premier also inquired from doctors and the staff if all of them have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

    He said that the third wave of the coronavirus is more lethal than the previous two ones, adding that people should follow the SOPs to protect themselves from the virus

    The virus has so far claimed 19,106 lives in Pakistan, while the number of total cases in the country has reached 864,557.

  • ‘Ban on Eid travel’ – Govt announces strategy for Eid

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has announced Eid-ul-Fitr Holidays in Pakistan from May 10 to May 15. The announcement came after NCOC’s meeting on Thursday which was chaired by Minister for Development and Planning Asad Umar.

    During the meeting, NCOC also recommended restricting international flights to Pakistan from May 5 to May 20, according to Samaa News. However, the detailed instructions will be issued by The Civil Aviation Authority.

    Comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be issued for Youm-e-Ali, Aitekaf, Shab-e-Qadar, Juma-tul-Wida, and Eid prayers by May 1, said the press release.

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had earlier advised the government to give Eid Holidays from May 10 to 16 as the country battles the most lethal wave of coronavirus.

    To reduce mobility during the forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitar NCOC has announced a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” strategy from May 8 to May 16.

    Here are the Comprehensive guidelines by the name of “STAY HOME-STAY SAFE — Eid-ul-Fitr-2021 from 8-16 May 2021” announced by NCOC:

    • All markets, businesses, and shops will remain closed except for essential services.
    • Chaand Raat bazaars will be banned.
    • Complete ban on tourism
    • Inter-provincial, inter-city, and intra-city public transport will be banned but private vehicles will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity.
    • Media channels will broadcast special Eid Holiday packages to keep public at home.

    Vaccinations for people in Pakistan aged 40 to 49 years will open May 3, the NCOC also decided in the meeting.

    Pakistan is experiencing a third wave of coronavirus. As per NCOC, Pakistan has recorded 5,450 new cases and 151 deaths with a positivity rate of 9.61%. The 151 death toll is the highest Pakistan has seen since the pandemic began.

  • UK councillor suspended for attending wedding in Pakistan amid COVID

    UK councillor suspended for attending wedding in Pakistan amid COVID

    The United Kingdom’s Labour Party has suspended Whalley Range councillor Aftab Razaq for violating coronavirus protocols after he attended a wedding in Pakistan.

    BBC reported that photos were shared on Facebook last weekend allegedly showing Manchester City Councillor Aftab Razaq at the celebration in the city of Kharian. Under the current COVID-19 rules in the UK, it is illegal to travel abroad for holidays and other leisure purposes.

    Councillor Pat Karney, secretary of Manchester Labour, explained that he would “thoroughly investigate the matter”. He told BBC that the Labour group had seen the photographs but “despite their best efforts”, they have not been able to contact the Whalley Range councillor who was vaccinated against COVID in Jan 2021.

    “All Manchester councillors must rigorously abide by Covid regulations and we will take action against any individual who does not,” Karney told BBC.