Pakistan’s National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has announced the lifting of a number of restrictions imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus in the country, including the staggered reopening of educational institutions in districts where the positivity rate is less than five per cent and resumption of outdoor dining, according to a Dawn report.

Earlier in the day, the NCOC reviewed the existing non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and decided to open outdoor restaurants daily till 11:59 pm while takeaway will be allowed 24/7 from May 24.

The tourism sector will be reopened under strict Covid-19 protocols from May 24.

Educational institutes in districts with less than five per cent positivity rate will be reopened from May 24.

Outdoor marriage ceremonies will be allowed with a maximum of 150 people from June 1.

Elective surgeries will be reopened from June 1.

Educational institutes in all districts will be reopened in a staggered manner from June 7.
 
All matric and intermediate exams will be held after June 20. All professional and non-professional exams will take place on a case-to-case basis as recommended by the Ministry of Education.

However, certain restrictions will remain in place.

All shrines, cinemas, amusement parks and indoor gymnasiums will remain closed. Tracks for walking and jogging will be allowed to remain open with strict adherence to SOPs.

Indoor dining, all contact sports, festivals, cultural, musical and other events, all types of indoor and outdoor gatherings, including religious events will be banned.

Inter-provincial public transport will remain suspended on the weekends from May 22.

Meanwhile, the current policies for inbound travel and Land Border Management would continue, a release stated.

(SAM)