As the COVID-19 cases  surged in the country, authorities in Pakistan have announced postponing all examinations scheduled for the coming weeks along with many other measures, reported The Express Tribune. 

The decision came after a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centres (NCOC) which was also attended by ministers of health and education. Among the measures include banning tourism, closing shopping malls and parks, closing intercity travel and inter-provincial transport. 

“Many parents will be relieved that their children will not appear for exams at a time when the virus is at its peak,” Shafaqat Mahmood, the minister for education, was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. “The decision has been taken in a collective spirit and in the best interests of the student’s future,” he added.

The drastic measures came at a time when the South Asian region is gripped by the renewed wave of coronavirus infections. The positivity rate touched 10 percent in Pakistan; ICU beds are running out; And, the fear of the deadly oxygen shortage one similar to India looms large. 

The government clarified that the vaccination drive is not dependent just on donated vaccines. The government is planning to sign deals to procure around 30 million vaccines in the coming weeks. Recently, people over the age of 40 have been allowed for vaccines.