COVID-19 2nd wave: NCOC decides to immediately close cinemas, theaters and shrines

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar chaired the NCOC meeting.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has on Wednesday decided to immediately close cinemas, theaters and shrines in the wake of the second wave of coronavirus while recommending to ban public gathering of more than 500 persons.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special initiatives Asad Umar chaired the NCOC meeting and remarked that immediate measures are required to save lives. COVID-19 cases have increased by almost three times, the minister said.

Briefing over the standard operating procedures (SOPs) was given in the session and ratio of increasing cases in sixteen big cities of the country was discussed. Situation in educational institutions was also analyzed.

Meanwhile, the Government of Punjab has recommended to keep marriage halls open across the province with strict implementation of updated coronavirus SOPs. The committee has recommended to reduce function time to only two hours with food being provided in disposable boxes.

Marriage halls will also display number of guests allowed in the hall after 50 percent reduction in the capacity while all the guests will be required to wear face masks.

Mian Aslam Iqbal has summoned a meeting of organizations of businessmen where they will be asked to ensure mandatory wearing of face masks. Punjab will also present its recommendations in NCOC meeting, he said.

Earlier today, Asad Umar took to Twitter and said the NCOC has once again recommended to ban all large public gatherings.

“Rapid increase in positivity requires urgent steps to save lives & livelihoods. Since mid October, when NCC first considered the NCOC recommendation to ban large public gatherings daily cases have nearly tripled.

“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 sop’s.

“Consensus needed in NCC for taking this decision, which has been delayed due to lack of consensus.”

On the other hand, Pakistan has reported 21 deaths in last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 348,184. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 7,021.

According to the latest figures by the NCOC, 1,708 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 in 24 hours.

Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Till now 151,352 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 107,831 in Punjab, 41,069 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 16,195 in Balochistan, 22,432 in Islamabad, 4,911 in Azad Kashmir and 4,394 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Furthermore 2,690 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Sindh, 2,429 in Punjab, 1,294 in KP, 154 in Balochistan, 247 in Islamabad, 93 in GB and 114 in Azad Kashmir.

Pakistan has so far conducted 4,773,496 coronavirus tests and 31,989 in last 24 hours. 320,065 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country whereas 1,109 patients are in critical condition.