Tag: Covid SOP

  • Pakistan’s Covid positivity rate crosses 5 per cent

    Pakistan’s Covid positivity rate crossed 5 per cent for the first time after nearly two months.

    The current infection rate stands at 5.2 per cent with a continuous spike in the cases.

    National Command and Operation Centre’s (NCOC) data from Thursday shows that 48,910 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours and 2,545 of them came back positive for coronavirus.

    With 47 new fatalities from the virus, the national death tally soared to 22,689.

    NCOC chief Asad Umar warned: “Indian variant has caused devastation in countries in the region.”

    Umar asked everyone to follow the directives necessary in relevance to Covid protocol and said, “Do not risk your own and others lives.”

  • Early signs of fourth Covid wave in Pakistan, warns Asad Umar

    Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar Friday said there are clear early signs of the fourth Covid-19 wave starting in Pakistan due to poor compliance of SOPs and the spread of the Delta variant.

    The federal minister, who is also the chief of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), said that he had warned two weeks back that the government’s artificial intelligence models are showing possible emergence of the fourth wave in July.

    Asad Umar added that field reports were showing a complete disregard of the condition of vaccination for those attending indoor weddings, and going to indoor restaurants and gyms.

    “If the owners of these facilities do not show responsibility and ensure compliance, there will be no choice but to shut them down,” said Umar.

    Pakistan recently recorded a positivity rate of 3.27 per cent. The last time the positivity rate was 3 per cent was in June.

    The present positivity rate of the virus is 3.6 per cent.

    Asad Umar expressed displeasure over non-compliance with the Covid-19 protocols and warned of shutting down sectors not adhering to the directives issued by the health authorities.

  • NCOC recommends indoor dining at 50 per cent occupancy for vaccinated individuals only

    NCOC recommends indoor dining at 50 per cent occupancy for vaccinated individuals only

    The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) said Monday it has allowed restaurants to operate at 50 per cent indoor capacity only for vaccinated individuals.

    These decisions will be implemented from July 1-31, with a review on July 27.

    Markets and business activities will continue till 10pm. However, essential services — petrol pumps, pharmacies, medical facilities, vaccination centre, milk shops, tandoors, and takeaways — are allowed to operate 24/7.

    Restaurant and hotel management would institute a mechanism for checking the vaccination certificates of guests and will also ensure vaccination of respective management and staff, the NCOC said, adding that takeaways will be allowed 24/7.

    400 people have been allowed to attend outdoor marriages, while indoor marriages have been permitted for only vaccinated individuals, with a cap of 200 people.

    Cinemas are allowed to re-open with strict Covid protocols for vaccinated individuals only till 1am.

    Cinemas’ management will institute a mechanism for checking vaccination certificates of visitors and will also ensure vaccination of respective management and staff.

    Shrines are allowed to re-open at the discretion of federating units, while adherence to strict Covid SOPs.

    Continuation of normal working hours for public and private offices with 100 per cent attendance.

    Public transport is allowed to operate with 70 per cent occupancy with strict Covid SOPs. Railway services are allowed to operate with 70 per cent occupancy.