The National Command and Operation Center has called for banning large public gatherings and enhancing restrictions in high-risk areas due to the resurgence of COVID-19.
The NCOC meeting chaired by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar in reviewed the epidemic curve data and disease prevalence in the country. The forum suggested certain urgent measures to National Coordination Committee to check the spread of the pandemic.
These measures include a ban on all public gatherings of more than 500 people, early and extended winter vacations, closure of cinemas, theatres and shrines with immediate effect, and only outdoor dining till 10PM at restaurants and takeaway.
Asad Umar said that since mid-October 2020, when the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on COVID-19 first considered the NCOC recommendation to ban large public gatherings daily cases have nearly tripled.
The minister said that the national political leadership across the political spectrum needs to demonstrate leadership to send a message to the entire nation for taking preventive steps and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The federal minister further said that consensus needed in the NCC for taking this decision, which has been delayed due to lack of consensus.
The NCOC session also recommended for early winter vacations in schools to halt rapid spread of the pandemic.
The immediate closure of shrines, cinema halls and theatres across the country was also suggested in the meeting.
In the last 24 hours, 1,708 people tested positive for COVID-19 and 21 succumbed to the disease in the country.
NCOC recommends banning large public gatherings
Published on: November 11, 2020 3:54 PM